Evolution of Globular Clusters: Effects of Tidal Shocks

The semi-analytic theory of tidal shocks proves to be a powerful tool to study tidal interactions of star clusters and satellite galaxies with their massive hosts. New models of the globular cluster evolution employ a combination of analytic estimates, solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation and direct N-body simulations. The models predict large destruction rates for the Galactic globular clusters. Those on the highly eccentric orbits around the Galactic center are much more likely to be disrupted than the ones on nearly circular orbits. The destruction rates are largely increased near the bulge. Disruption of the low-mass clusters changes the Luminosity Function of the Globular Cluster System, shifting the peak of the Luminosity Function to the brighter end.