Steward Observatory/NSF’s NOIRLab Joint Colloquium Series: Capture of primordial black holes by neutron stars

Thomas Baumgarte, University of Arizona

When

3:30 – 4:30 p.m., Jan. 25, 2024

Abstract:  Primordial black holes (PBHs) - if they exist - interact with stars.  Sufficiently compact stars, in particular neutron stars, are able to capture PBHs gravitationally, which results in the PBH being swallowed by the star.  Once inside the star, the ``endoparasitic" PBH accretes stellar material, ultimately inducing a dynamical collapse of the entire host star.  In this talk I will invoke simple estimates, point-mass approximations, and numerical relativity simulations in order to explore different aspects of this scenario.  Specifically, I will discuss the capture process, will highlight the peculiar properties of accretion of matter obeying stiff equations of state, will examine the stability of stars hosting a black hole in the interior, and will present simulations of the final dynamical collapse.

Zoom:  https://arizona.zoom.us/j/4470189357

Contacts

Tiffany Deyoe