2007/08/31 by M. Fujii, M. Iwasawa, Y. Funato +1
Physics and Astronomy · #Astronomy and Astrophysical Research #Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies #Cluster (spacecraft) #Galactic Center #Galaxy #Galaxy cluster #Star (game theory) #Star cluster #Star formation #Stellar dynamics #Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1086/591483
19 pages, 19 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ
arxiv created 2008/07/08 · openalex publication_date 2008/10/20 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
We have performed fully self-consistent N -body simulations of star clusters near the Galactic center (GC). Such simulations have not been previously performed, because it is difficult to generate fast and accurate simulations of these systems using conventional methods. We used the Bridge code, which integrates the parent galaxy using a tree algorithm and the star cluster using a fourth-order Hermite scheme with individual time steps. The interaction between the parent galaxy and the star cluster is calculate with a tree algorithm. Therefore, the Bridge code can handle both the orbital and internal evolution of star clusters correctly at the same time. We here investigate the evolution of star clusters using the Bridge code, and compare the results with previous studies. We find that (1) the inspiral timescale of the star clusters is shorter than that obtained with "traditional" simulations, in which the orbital evolution of star clusters is calculated analytically using the dynamical friction formula, and (2) core collapse of the star cluster increases the core density and helps the cluster to survive. The initial conditions of star clusters are not so severe as previously suggested.