Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-94fs2 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-14T08:00:49.235Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

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
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

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

References

Anderson, J. & van der Marel, R. P. 2009, ApJ, submitted (arXiv:0905.0627)Google Scholar
Baumgardt, H., Makino, J., & Hut, P. 2005, ApJ, 620, 238Google Scholar
Davis, D. S., Richer, H. B., King, I. R., Anderson, J., Coffey, J., Fahlman, G. G., Hurley, J., & Kalirai, J. S. 2008, MNRAS (Letters), 383, L20Google Scholar
Fregeau, J. M., Richer, H. B., Rasio, F. A., & Hurley, J. R. 2009, ApJ (Letters), 695, L20Google Scholar
Gill, M., Trenti, M., Miller, M. C., van der Marel, R., Hamilton, D., & Stiavelli, M. 2008, ApJ, 686, 303Google Scholar
Heggie, D. C., Trenti, M., & Hut, P. 2006, MNRAS, 368, 677Google Scholar
Heyl, J. 2008, MNRAS, 390, 622Google Scholar
Ruberg, A. 2008, MSc Thesis, University of British ColumbiaGoogle Scholar
Trenti, M., Ardi, E., Mineshige, S., & Hut, P. 2007, MNRAS, 374, 857Google Scholar