Constraining Black Hole Populations in Globular Clusters Using Microlensing: Application to Omega Centauri

Zaris J., Veske D., Samsing J., Márka Z., Bartos I., Márka S.

Astrophysical Journal Letters, cilt.894, sa.1, 2020 (SCI-Expanded) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 894 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2020
  • Doi Numarası: 10.3847/2041-8213/ab89a3
  • Dergi Adı: Astrophysical Journal Letters
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, INSPEC
  • Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

We estimate the rate of gravitational microlensing events of cluster stars due to black holes (BHs) in the globular cluster NGC 5139 (ωCen). Theory and observations both indicate that ωCen may contain thousands of BHs, but their mass spectrum and exact distribution are not well constrained. In this Letter we show that one may observe microlensing events on a timescale of years in ωCen, and such an event sample can be used to infer the BH distribution. Direct detection of BHs will, in the near future, play a major role in distinguishing binary BH merger channels. Here we explore how gravitational microlensing can be used to put constraints on BH populations in globular clusters.