On the Origin of Early-type Galaxies Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper investigates the origins of early-type galaxy nuclei, proposing they are formed from globular cluster mergers, supported by N-body simulations that explore the role of dynamical friction in this process.

Contribution

It provides new N-body simulation results demonstrating how globular clusters can merge to form galaxy nuclei, supporting the hypothesis of their origin from globular clusters.

Findings

Globular cluster mergers can produce dense galactic nuclei.

Dynamical friction facilitates inward migration of globular clusters.

Simulations support nuclei formation via cluster mergers.

Abstract

The ACS Virgo cluster survey by Cote' and collaborators shows the presence of compact nuclei at the photocenters of many early-type galaxies. It is argued that they are the low-mass counterparts of nuclei hosting Super Massive Black Holes (SBHs) detected in the bright galaxies. If this view is correct, then one should think in terms of central massive objects, either SBHs or Compact Stellar Clusters (CSCs), that accompany the formation of almost all early-type galaxies. In this observational frame, the hypothesis that galactic nuclei may be the remains of globular clusters driven inward to the galactic center by dynamical friction and there merged, finds an exciting possible confirm. In this short paper we report of our recent results on globular cluster mergers obtained by mean of detailed N-body simulations.