The formation of the nuclei of galaxies. I - M31

Globular clusters passing near the center of M31 interact with the background stars through dynamical friction and spiral toward the center of the galaxy where they are tidally disrupted by interactions with the growing nucleus. This process will result in the formation of a high-density central nucleus of a mass roughly 50 million times the solar mass in 100 billion years. The mechanism outlined accounts for the development of massive nuclei within which stellar collisions and other exotic phenomena might possibly occur. The data derived from numerical calculations are consistent with Stratoscope balloon observations of the M31 nucleus.