A Monte Carlo Code to Investigate Stellar Collisions in Dense Galactic Nuclei

Abstract

Stellar collisions have long been envisioned to be of great importance in the center of galaxies where densities of 1e6 stars per cubic pc or higher are attained. Not only can they play a unique dynamical role by modifying stellar masses and orbits, but high velocity disruptive encounters occurring in the vicinity of a massive black hole can also be an occasional source of fuel for the starved central engine. In the past few years, we have been building a comprehensive table of SPH (Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics) collision simulations for main sequence stars. This database is now integrated as a module into our Henon-like Monte Carlo code. The combination of SPH collision simulations with a Monte Carlo cluster evolution code seems ideally suited to study the frequency, characteristics and effects of stellar collisions during the long term evolution of galactic nuclei.