https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20123905001
Stellar dynamics and tidal disruption events in galactic nuclei
Weizmann Institute of Science, Faculty of Physics, Department of Particle Physics and Astrophysics
a e-mail: tal.alexander@weizmann.ac.il
The disruption of a star by the tidal field of a massive black hole is the final outcome of a chain of complex dynamical processes in the host galaxy. I introduce the “loss cone problem”, and describe the many theoretical and numerical challenges on the path of solving it. I review various dynamical channels by which stars can be supplied to a massive black hole, and the relevant dynamical relaxation/randomization mechanisms. I briefly mention some “exotic” tidal disruption scenarios, and conclude by discussing new dynamical results that are changing our understanding of dynamics near a massive black hole, and may well be relevant for tidal disruption dynamics.
© Owned by the authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2012
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