arXiv · astro-ph/0211008
Orbital Decay and Tidal Disruption of a Star Cluster: Analytical Calculation
Abstract
The orbital decay and tidal disruption of a star cluster in a galaxy is studied in an analytical manner. Owing to dynamical friction, the star cluster spirals in toward the center of the galaxy. Simultaneously, the galactic tidal field strips stars from the outskirts of the star cluster. Under an assumption that the star cluster undergoes a self-similar evolution, we obtain the condition and timescale for the star cluster to reach the galaxy center before its disruption. The result is used to discuss the fate of so-called intermediate-mass black holes with >10^3 M(sun) found recently in young star clusters of starburst galaxies and also the mass function of globular clusters in galaxies.
Explore related subjects
Keep this discovery
Explore connections, maps & timelines
H. Mouri, Y. Taniguchi. 2002-11-01. Orbital Decay and Tidal Disruption of a Star Cluster: Analytical Calculation. https://doi.org/10.1086/345898
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.