title: Grazing collisions of black holes via the excision of singularities.
abstract: We present the first simulations of non-head-on (grazing) collisions of binary black holes in which the singularities are excised from the simulation. Initially equal mass m black holes (spinning or not) are separated by approximately 10m and with impact parameter approximately 2m. Evolutions to t approximately 35m are obtained where two separate horizons are present for t approximately 3.8m; then a single enveloping horizon forms indicating that the holes merged. Apparent horizon area estimates suggest gravitational radiation of about 2%-3% of the total mass. The evolutions end after a moderate amount of time because of instabilities.
authors.affiliation: Center for Gravitational Physics and Geometry, Penn State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Correll
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huq
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laguna
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lehner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marronetti
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Matzner
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Neilsen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pullin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Schnetter
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shoemaker
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Winicour