A Capture Scenario for Globular Cluster Omega Centauri
Astrophysics
2009-11-07 v2
Abstract
We explore an accretion origin for Omega Cen by N-body modeling of the orbital decay and disruption of a Milky-Way dwarf satellite. This work is focused on studying a particular satellite model that aims to reproduce the present orbit of Omega Cen, as recently determined from absolute proper motions. The model satellite is launched from 58 kpc from the Galactic Center, on a radial, low-inclination orbit. We find that a capture scenario can produce an Omega Cen-like object with the current low-energy orbit of the cluster. Our best model is a nucleated galaxy with a Hernquist density profile that has a mass of 8 10**8 Msun, and a half-mass radius of 1.4 kpc.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/0304262,
title = {A Capture Scenario for Globular Cluster Omega Centauri},
author = {Toshio Tsuchiya and Dana I. Dinescu and Vladimir I. Korchagin},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/0304262},
year = {2009}
}
Comments
15 pages, 5 figures, accepted by ApJL