Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Galaxy Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2009-04-02
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Galaxy Astrophysics
8 pages, 5 figures, to appear in Classical and Quantum Gravity, Lisa-7 Special Issue
Scientific paper
10.1088/0264-9381/26/9/094029
We report on key studies on the dynamics of black holes (BHs) in gas-rich galaxy mergers that underscore the vital role played by gas dissipation in promoting BH inspiral down to the smallest scales ever probed with use of high-resolution numerical simulations. In major mergers, the BHs sink rapidly under the action of gas-dynamical friction while orbiting inside the massive nuclear disc resulting from the merger. The BHs then bind and form a Keplerian binary on a scale of 5 pc. In minor mergers, BH pairing proceeds down to the minimum scale explored of 10-100 pc only when the gas fraction in the less massive galaxy is comparatively large to avoid its tidal and/or ram pressure disruption and the wandering of the light BH in the periphery of the main halo. Binary BHs enter the gravitational wave dominated inspiral only when their relative distance is typically of 0.001 pc. If the gas preserves the degree of dissipation expected in a star-burst environment, binary decay continues down to 0.1 pc, the smallest length-scale ever attained. Stalling versus hardening below 0.1 pc is still matter of deep investigations.
Callegari Simone
Colpi Monica
Dotti Massimo
Mayer Larry
No associations
LandOfFree
Massive black hole binary evolution in gas-rich mergers 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 Massive black hole binary evolution in gas-rich mergers, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Massive black hole binary evolution in gas-rich mergers will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-63949