Loss cone
= Loss cone
{title2=$J<J_{\rm lc}$}
A loss cone consists of low-<angular momentum> stellar trajectories whose next pericentre enters a central absorbing region. For capture radius $r_c$ in a <black hole>-dominated potential, the Newtonian near-parabolic estimate is $J_{\rm lc}^2\simeq2GM_Hr_c$. At radius $r$ and speed $v$, its angular half-width is $J_{\rm lc}/(rv)$. <Two-body relaxation> can refill this depleted part of phase space.