Stellar-mass Black Holes in Globular Clusters: Dynamical consequences and observational signatures
Abstract
Sizeable number of stellar-mass black holes (BHs) in globular clusters (GCs) can strongly influence the dynamical evolution and observational properties of their host cluster. Using results from a large set of numerical simulations, we identify the key ingredients needed to sustain a sizeable population of BHs in GCs up to a Hubble time. We find that while BH natal kick prescriptions are essential in determining the initial retention fraction of BHs in GCs, the long-term survival of BHs is determined by the size, initial central density and half-mass relaxation time of the GC. Simulated GC models that contain many BHs are characterized by relatively low central surface brightness, large half-light and core radii values. We also discuss novel ways to compare simulated results with available observational data to identify GCs that are most likely to contain many BHs.
- Publication:
-
Star Clusters: From the Milky Way to the Early Universe
- Pub Date:
- 2020
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1907.13380
- Bibcode:
- 2020IAUS..351..395A
- Keywords:
-
- stellar dynamics;
- globular clusters: general;
- stars: black holes;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
- E-Print:
- 4 pages, 2 figures, 1 table. Contribution to the proceedings of the IAU Symposium No. 351: "Star Clusters: from the Milky Way to the Early Universe"