Close Approach during Hard Binary--Binary Scattering

Details Close Approach during Hard Binary--Binary Scattering Close Approach during Hard Binary--Binary Scattering

1996-03-11

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/9603036v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

13 pages including 13 ps figures. MNRAS in press

Scientific paper

We report on an extensive series of numerical experiments of binary--binary scattering, analysing the cross--section for close approach during interactions for a range of hard binary parameters of interest in globular cluster cores. We consider the implied rate for tidal interactions for different globular clusters and compare our results with previous, complementary estimates of stellar collision rates in globular clusters. We find that the collision rate for binary--binary encounters dominates in low density clusters if the binary fraction in the cluster is larger than $0.2$ for wide main--sequence binaries. In dense clusters binary--single interactions dominate the collision rate and the core binary fraction must be $\ltorder 0.1$ per decade in semi--major axis or too many collisions take place compared to observations. The rates are consistent if binaries with semi--major axes $\sim 100 AU$ are overabundant in low density clusters or if breakup and ejection substantially lowers the binary fraction in denser clusters. Given reasonable assumptions about fractions of binaries in the cores of low density clusters such as NGC~5053, we cannot account for all the observed blue stragglers by stellar collisions during binary encounters, suggesting a substantial fraction may be due to coalescence of tight primordial binaries.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Close Approach during Hard Binary--Binary Scattering 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 Close Approach during Hard Binary--Binary Scattering, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Close Approach during Hard Binary--Binary Scattering will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1567