Dynamical Friction

Dynamical Friction of Blue Straggler Stars. Credits: Snehalata

Cartoon depicting the dynamical friction experienced by the Blue Straggler Star (BSS)

of mass M moving with a velocity V though a medium of uniform density ρ,

consisting of low mass stars (m<<M) in a globular cluster. The BSS perturbs the medium as it passes through it creating a gravitational wake behind, which in turn causes a

drag force (Fd ) on the BSS making it to slow down.