Motion properties of satellites around external spiral galaxies

Abstract

We are analyzing a sample of closeby galaxy systems, each comprising a bright isolated spiral and its satellites. We find an excess (56%) of prograde satellites over retrograde, which basically holds for all angular displacements from the primary major axis. Monte Carlo simulations show that interlopers and mixing systems at different distances in the sample should not affect porcentages sensibly.

4 pages, 1 figure, proceedings of the conference "Satellites and tidal streams"