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15 - Star clusters

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 August 2009

Sverre J. Aarseth
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
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Summary

Introduction

Simulating star clusters by direct N-body integrations is the equivalent of scaling mountains the hard way. At any time the maximum particle number depends on hardware and is therefore limited by technology. Some of the methods that have been described in this book are ideally suited to studying the classical point-mass problem. In addition, a wide variety of astrophysical processes can be included for realistic modelling of actual clusters. Recently the simulations have been devoted to systems with up to N ≃ 104 particles which includes rich open clusters. However, with the construction of the GRAPE-6 special-purpose computer we are now able to investigate small globular clusters as observed in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) [Elson et al., 1998].

In the following we concentrate on various aspects of star cluster simulations not covered in earlier chapters. We first describe algorithms for determining the core radius and density centre which are useful tools for data analysis. For historical reasons, idealized models (i.e. isolated systems) are also considered, particularly because of their relevance for more approximate methods. After further discussions of the IMF, we return to the subject of assigning primordial binaries and illustrate their importance by some general results. External effects due to the tidal field and interstellar clouds form an important ingredient in star cluster modelling even though the latter are rarely studied. Algorithms for combining stellar evolution with the dynamical treatment have been outlined previously.

Type
Chapter
Information
Gravitational N-Body Simulations
Tools and Algorithms
, pp. 264 - 296
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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  • Star clusters
  • Sverre J. Aarseth, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Gravitational N-Body Simulations
  • Online publication: 18 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535246.016
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  • Star clusters
  • Sverre J. Aarseth, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Gravitational N-Body Simulations
  • Online publication: 18 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535246.016
Available formats
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Save book to Google Drive

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  • Star clusters
  • Sverre J. Aarseth, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Gravitational N-Body Simulations
  • Online publication: 18 August 2009
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511535246.016
Available formats
×