Massive perturbers in the galactic center

Abstract

We investigate the role of massive perturbers, such as stellar clusters or giant molecular clouds, in supplying low-angular momentum stars that pass very close to the central massive black hole (MBH) or fall into it. We show that massive perturbers can play an important role in supplying both binaries and single stars to the vicinity of the MBH. We discuss possible implications for the ejection of high velocity stars; for the capture of stars on tight orbits around the MBH; for the emission of gravitational waves from low-eccentricity inspiraling stars; and for the origin of the young main sequence B stars observed very near the Galactic MBH. Massive perturbers may also enhance the the growth rate of MBHs, and may accelerate the dynamical orbital decay of coalescing binary MBHs. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.