Bonn 2010 – scientific programme

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SYBH: Symposium Black Holes

SYBH 1: Symposium Black Holes (SYBH)

SYBH 1.5: Invited Talk

Monday, March 15, 2010, 15:55–16:30, HG Aula

Classical and Relativistic Dynamics of Supermassive Black Holes and their Spin in Galactic Nuclei — •Rainer Spurzem — Astronomisches Rechen-Institut, Mönchhofstraße 12-14, 69120 Heidelberg — National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

We study the dynamical evolution of supermassive single and binary black holes (SMBH) embedded in dense star clusters in galactic nuclei. First, the interaction of black holes with stars (tidal disruption, close gravitational encounters) can be modelled classically (Newtonian); but relativistic corrections to Newtonian gravity are taken into account when necessary. It is shown, mainly from N-body computer experiments, how relativistic interactions trigger the coalescence of SMBH and the detailed spectrum of gravitational wave emission is computed in the model. The physical nature of various relativistic corrections important for the model (e.g. periastron shifts, energy losses due to gravitational radiation, relatvistic spin-orbit interactions) is reviewed. The emerging field of gravitational wave astrophysics and ongoing and planned instruments (ground-based, space-based) and their sensitivity characteristics are presented. In a final part of the talk our new computational instruments are presented, special supercomputers using graphical processing units (GPU) as accelerators, our pathfinder systems using this technology in Germany and China. The new paradigm of green supercomputing is discussed and its use for black hole physics in galactic nuclei.