Dynamical friction on Globular Clusters in core-triaxial galaxies: is it a cause of massive black hole accretion?

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  • 17 September 2003
Abstract
The present work extends and deepens previous examinations of the evolution of globular cluster orbits in elliptical galaxies, by means of numerical simulations of a wide sample of orbits in 5 self-consistent triaxial galactic models characterized by a central core and different axial ratios. These models represent a valid and complete representation of regular orbits in elliptical galaxies. Dynamical friction is definitely shown to be an efficient cause of evolution for cluster system in elliptical galaxies of any mass and axial ratios. Moreover, our statistically significant sample of computed orbits confirm that the orbital decay times are, in many cases, much shorter than the age of the galaxies, so that many globular clusters have had enough time to reach the galactic centre where they may have contributed significantly to the mass feeding of a compact nucleus therein.

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