Speaker
Pedro R. Capelo
(University of Michigan)
Description
We present the latest results from a suite of high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations of mergers between two disk galaxies, in which we vary the mass ratio and the directions of the two galactic angular momentum vectors. We study both the evolution of the central black holes and the fate of the galaxies themselves. One newly found aspect of galactic interaction is the occurrence, in some cases, of a nuclear coup: the primary galaxy's nucleus is disrupted by the secondary galaxy during the merger, leaving the primary black hole devoid of surrounding stars and gas and slowly finding its way towards the centre of the remnant. We explore the influence of various factors, including the relative strength of star formation, tidal stripping and tidal heating. An additional aspect is the occurrence of angular momentum flips in the secondary galaxy. We investigate the link between the final shape of the central areas of the remnant and the internal angular momentum of the merging galaxies.
Author
Pedro R. Capelo
(University of Michigan)