Physics
Scientific paper
Sep 2001
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2001tysc.confe..87m&link_type=abstract
Two Years of Science with Chandra, Abstracts from the Symposium held in Washington, DC, 5-7 September, 2001, meeting abstract.
Physics
Black Hole And Neutron Star Binaries
Scientific paper
The discovery of numerous non-nuclear X-ray point sources with luminosities L>1039 erg s-1 in several starburst galaxies has stimulated speculation about their nature and origin. The strong variability seen in several sources points to massive black holes as the central engines. If the flux is isotropic, the luminosities range up to ≈ 1041 erg s-1, implying masses of M>≈ 103 Msolar if the luminosity is sub-Eddington. Here we explore a model for these sources. We suggest that in some tens of percent of globular clusters a very massive black hole, M>≈ 50 Msolar, is formed. This black hole sinks in <≈ 106 yr to the center of the cluster, where in the ~1010 yr lifetime of the cluster it accretes ~103 Msolar, primarily in the form of lighter black holes. Unlike less massive black holes in binaries, which are flung from clusters by recoil before they can merge gravitationally, a >≈ 50 Msolar black hole has enough inertia that it remains bound to the cluster. We suggest that ~103 Msolar black holes may be common in the centers of dense globular clusters, and may therefore exist in some tens of percent of current globulars. If the cluster later merges with its host galaxy, accretion from young star clusters in molecular clouds by the black hole can generate luminosity consistent with that observed. We also consider the detectability of massive black holes in globular clusters with gravitational wave detectors such as LISA and LIGO, and speculate on future observations that may test our predictions.
Hamilton Douglas P.
Miller Michael Coleman
No associations
LandOfFree
Production of Intermediate-Mass Black Holes in Globular Clusters does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Production of Intermediate-Mass Black Holes in Globular Clusters, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Production of Intermediate-Mass Black Holes in Globular Clusters will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1163462