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The dynamical effect of white dwarf kicks in star clusters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 January 2010

Harvey B. Richer
Harvey B. Richer*
Affiliation:
Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of British Columbia, 6224 Agricultural Road, Vancouver, British Columbia, CanadaV6T 1Z1 email: richer@astro.ubc.ca
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Abstract

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Globular star clusters generally have large cores, i.e., rc/rh (the ratio of core to half-light radii) exceeds 0.3 for more than 50% of the Galactic globular clusters. In the absence of a central heating source, dynamical models suggest that massive clusters will contract, typically on a timescale shorter than a Hubble time, and exhibit a compact core. To explain the disagreement between observations and theory, intermediate-mass mass black holes have been invoked to explain the core structure. Recent observations, however, have failed to definitively prove their existence in clusters. A new scenario, involving a natal kick given to white dwarfs may provide the required heating and help clusters avoid or delay core collapse.

Keywords

globular clusters: generalwhite dwarfsblack hole physicsstellar dynamics
Type
Contributed Papers
Information
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union , Volume 5 , Symposium S266: Star clusters: basic galactic building blocks throughout time and space , August 2009 , pp. 318 - 319
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2010

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