SCYON Abstract

Received on December 16 2004

Disruption of Clusters near the Galactic Center

AuthorsM. Atakan Gürkan, Frederic A. Rasio
AffiliationDeparment of Physics and Astronomy, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Submitted toAstrophysical Journal
Contactato@northwestern.edu
URLhttp://www.astro.northwestern.edu/~ato/
Links

Abstract

We present results of our Monte Carlo simulations of dense star clusters near the Galactic center. These clusters sink toward the center of the Galaxy by dynamical friction. During their inspiral, they may undergo core collapse and form an intermediate mass black hole by runaway collisions. Such a cluster can reach within a parsec of the Galactic center where it disrupts and leaves many young stars as well as a massive black hole in the region. This scenario provides a natural explanation for the presence of the young stars observed near the Galactic center. We determine the initial conditions for this scenario to work. In addition, we present the mass distribution of the cluster stars with respect to the distance from the Galactic center.