Modeling Stellar Exotica in Dense Star Clusters

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AST-0507561James LombardiVassar CollegeModeling Stellar Exotica in Dense Star ClustersABSTRACTA collaborative project between Vassar College and Northwestern University will be undertakenwhich will explore the effects of magnetic fields during close interactions between stars as are likelyto take place frequently in dense stellar environments (e.g., the cores of globular clusters). Suchinteractions not only determine the fate of these clusters but are also believed to be the origin ofexotic objects such as blue stragglers, binary pulsars, and x-ray sources. The investigators andstudents at Vassar will use a 3D smoothed particle hydrodynamics code developed under previousNSF funding and complete its adaptation to include magnetic fields (a 3D smoothed particlemagnetohydrodynamic code). This new tool will then be used to simulate stellar collisions/mergersamong a variety of types of stars (main-sequence, subgiant, red giant, and stellar remnants).Specific topics that will be addressed include stellar collisions in globular clusters (and the originsof blue stragglers, i.e., collisions versus mergers), binary mergers, and common envelope evolution.Included in this project is significant involvement by students with the goal of setting up self -sustaining student research programs (in which new students are trained by seniors). There is alsothe opportunity for students at either school to become involved in collaborations withstudents/postdoctoral fellows/faculty at the other. Likewise, useful skills in programming,modeling, hydrodynamics/fluid mechanics, etc., will be developed among the participants.