Previous | Session 23 | Next
M. S. Bovill, M. C. Miller (Univ. of MD, College Park)
Current understanding of globular cluster dynamics suggests that angular momentum will be transfered out of the core region on very short timescales. However, observations of core rotation in several globular clusters have been reported over the last few years. We use N-body simulations to investigate core rotation in globular clusters to better understand the input and maintainence of this rotation. We explore various core rotations for two different mass distributions. For both mass spectrums, we find artifically added angular momentum in the core region is dissipated over several core relaxation times (several tenths of a cluster relaxation time). The angular momentum delivered into the core by a spiraling massive binary is also found to dissipate on the same rapid timescales. This implies the need for an "engine" in the core region to introduce and maintain the core rotation over significant timescales.
Previous | Session 23 | Next
Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 5
© 2004. The American Astronomical Society.