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P. Coppi, A. Escala, R.B. Richard (Yale University)
Using high-resolution SPH numerical simulations, we investigate the effects of gas on the inspiral and merger of binary black hole systems. Our simulations are still in progress, but preliminary results suggest that when significant amounts of gas are present, e.g., as might be expected in the merger of two gas-rich parent galaxies, a pair of black holes will quickly sink to the center of the system and merge, i.e., gas can play a major role and prevents the hang-up of the black hole binary.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 35 #3
© 2003. The American Astronomical Soceity.