Gravitational Dynamics of Large Stellar Systems

TL;DR

This paper explores how internal dynamical processes in large stellar systems lead to high-density states, fostering the formation of exotic objects like black holes and gravitational wave sources, with a focus on modeling techniques and pathways to black hole formation.

Contribution

It provides an overview of the dynamical evolution mechanisms in stellar systems and discusses modeling approaches, emphasizing pathways to massive black holes and gravitational wave sources.

Findings

High-density states facilitate formation of black holes and exotic objects.

Dynamical evolution occurs on timescales less than the universe's age.

Modeling techniques help understand pathways to gravitational wave sources.

Abstract

Internal dynamical evolution can drive stellar systems into states of high central density. For many star clusters and galactic nuclei, the time scale on which this occurs is significantly less than the age of the universe. As a result, such systems are expected to be sites of frequent interactions among stars, binary systems, and stellar remnants, making them efficient factories for the production of compact binaries, intermediate-mass black holes, and other interesting and eminently observable astrophysical exotica. We describe some elements of the competition among stellar dynamics, stellar evolution, and other mechanisms to control the dynamics of stellar systems, and discuss briefly the techniques by which these systems are modeled and studied. Particular emphasis is placed on pathways leading to massive black holes in present-day globular clusters and other potentially detectable sources of gravitational radiation.