Massive Star Cluster Formation II. Runaway Stars as Fossils of Sub-Cluster Mergers
arxiv(2024)
Abstract
Two main mechanisms have classically been proposed for the formation of
runaway stars. The binary supernova scenario (BSS) suggests that a massive star
in a binary explodes as a supernova, ejecting its companion. The dynamical
ejection scenario suggests that a star is ejected through a strong dynamical
encounter between multiple stars. We propose a third mechanism for the
formation of runaway stars: the sub-cluster ejection scenario (SCES), where an
infalling sub-cluster of stars is ejected out of the cluster by a slingshot
interaction with the contracting gravitational potential of the assembling
cluster. We demonstrate the SCES in a star-by-star simulation of a young
massive cluster forming from a 10^6 M_⊙ gas cloud using the Torch
framework. This star cluster forms hierarchically through a sequence of
sub-cluster mergers, determined by the initial turbulent, spherical initial
conditions of the gas. We find that these mergers drive the formation of
runaway stars in our model. Late-forming sub-clusters fall into the central
potential, where they are ejected on a slingshot trajectory, forming groups of
runaway stars that are distributed highly anisotropically. Runaways formed by
the same SCES share similar ages, velocities, and ejection directions.
Surveying observations, we identify several SCES candidate groups with
anisotropic ejection directions. The SCES is capable of producing runaway
binaries: two wide dynamical binaries in infalling sub-clusters were tightened
through ejection. This allows for another velocity kick via subsequent BSS,
which is a promising avenue for producing hypervelocity stars unbound to the
Galaxy. The SCES occurs when sub-cluster formation is resolved. We expect
non-spherical initial gas distributions to increase runaway star numbers. The
observation of groups of runaway stars formed via SCES thus reveals the
assembly history of their natal clusters.
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