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J. Sepinsky, V. Kalogera, K. Belczynski (Northwestern University)
It has been shown recently that many starburst galaxies contain a number of dense star forming regions, often called "super-star clusters" (SSCs). Chandra X-Ray observations have identified a distinct lack of X-Ray point sources within the cores of these SSCs. We investigate this lack of point sources by modeling the formation and evolution of X-Ray Binaries (XRBs) within such star forming regions. As a first step, we examine whether this lack can be explained as a consequence of the kicks imparted to XRBs at the time of compact object formation. We self-consistently model the binary evolution and associated kicks along with the XRB motion within the SSC gravitational potential. Our current results indicate that SSCs at the low-end of the mass scale (smaller than about 100,000 solar masses) allow XRB ejection, whereas in more massive SSCs stellar dynamics may dominate the kinematic evolution of the binaries.
The Authors would like to thank NASA (the Chandra Program) and the Packard Foundation for the generous funding which made this research possible.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #3
© 2004. The American Astronomical Soceity.