Abstract
Globular clusters (GCs) in the Milky Way exhibit a well-observed bimodal distribution in core radii separating the so-called core-collapsed and non-core-collapsed clusters. Here, we use our Hénon-type Monte Carlo code, CMC, to explore initial cluster parameters that map into this bimodality. Remarkably, we find that by varying the initial size of clusters (specified in our initial conditions in terms of the initial virial radius, r v ) within a relatively narrow range consistent with the measured radii of young star clusters in the local universe (r v ≈ 0.5-5 pc), our models reproduce the variety of present-day cluster properties. Furthermore, we show that stellar-mass black holes (BHs) play an intimate role in this mapping from initial conditions to the present-day structural features of GCs. We identify "best-fit" models for three GCs with known observed BH candidates, NGC 3201, M22, and M10, and show that these clusters harbor populations of ∼50-100 stellar-mass BHs at present. As an alternative case, we also compare our models to the core-collapsed cluster NGC 6752 and show that this cluster likely contains few BHs at present. Additionally, we explore the formation of BH binaries in GCs and demonstrate that these systems form naturally in our models in both detached and mass-transferring configurations with a variety of companion stellar types, including low-mass main-sequence stars, white dwarfs, and sub-subgiants.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Article number | 38 |
| Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
| Volume | 871 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 20 2019 |
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Keywords
- globular clusters: general
- methods: numerical
- stars: black holes
- stars: kinematics and dynamics
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Cite this
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How Initial Size Governs Core Collapse in Globular Clusters. / Kremer, Kyle; Chatterjee, Sourav; Ye, Claire S.; Rodriguez, Carl L.; Rasio, Frederic A.
In: Astrophysical Journal, Vol. 871, No. 1, 38, 20.01.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - How Initial Size Governs Core Collapse in Globular Clusters
AU - Kremer, Kyle
AU - Chatterjee, Sourav
AU - Ye, Claire S.
AU - Rodriguez, Carl L.
AU - Rasio, Frederic A.
PY - 2019/1/20
Y1 - 2019/1/20
N2 - Globular clusters (GCs) in the Milky Way exhibit a well-observed bimodal distribution in core radii separating the so-called core-collapsed and non-core-collapsed clusters. Here, we use our Hénon-type Monte Carlo code, CMC, to explore initial cluster parameters that map into this bimodality. Remarkably, we find that by varying the initial size of clusters (specified in our initial conditions in terms of the initial virial radius, r v ) within a relatively narrow range consistent with the measured radii of young star clusters in the local universe (r v ≈ 0.5-5 pc), our models reproduce the variety of present-day cluster properties. Furthermore, we show that stellar-mass black holes (BHs) play an intimate role in this mapping from initial conditions to the present-day structural features of GCs. We identify "best-fit" models for three GCs with known observed BH candidates, NGC 3201, M22, and M10, and show that these clusters harbor populations of ∼50-100 stellar-mass BHs at present. As an alternative case, we also compare our models to the core-collapsed cluster NGC 6752 and show that this cluster likely contains few BHs at present. Additionally, we explore the formation of BH binaries in GCs and demonstrate that these systems form naturally in our models in both detached and mass-transferring configurations with a variety of companion stellar types, including low-mass main-sequence stars, white dwarfs, and sub-subgiants.
AB - Globular clusters (GCs) in the Milky Way exhibit a well-observed bimodal distribution in core radii separating the so-called core-collapsed and non-core-collapsed clusters. Here, we use our Hénon-type Monte Carlo code, CMC, to explore initial cluster parameters that map into this bimodality. Remarkably, we find that by varying the initial size of clusters (specified in our initial conditions in terms of the initial virial radius, r v ) within a relatively narrow range consistent with the measured radii of young star clusters in the local universe (r v ≈ 0.5-5 pc), our models reproduce the variety of present-day cluster properties. Furthermore, we show that stellar-mass black holes (BHs) play an intimate role in this mapping from initial conditions to the present-day structural features of GCs. We identify "best-fit" models for three GCs with known observed BH candidates, NGC 3201, M22, and M10, and show that these clusters harbor populations of ∼50-100 stellar-mass BHs at present. As an alternative case, we also compare our models to the core-collapsed cluster NGC 6752 and show that this cluster likely contains few BHs at present. Additionally, we explore the formation of BH binaries in GCs and demonstrate that these systems form naturally in our models in both detached and mass-transferring configurations with a variety of companion stellar types, including low-mass main-sequence stars, white dwarfs, and sub-subgiants.
KW - globular clusters: general
KW - methods: numerical
KW - stars: black holes
KW - stars: kinematics and dynamics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85062024051&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85062024051&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3847/1538-4357/aaf646
DO - 10.3847/1538-4357/aaf646
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85062024051
VL - 871
JO - Astrophysical Journal
JF - Astrophysical Journal
SN - 0004-637X
IS - 1
M1 - 38
ER -