Supermassive Black Holes in Early-Type Galaxies: Relationship with Radio Emission and Constraints on the Black Hole Mass Function

Using recently published estimates — based on high spatial resolution spectroscopy — of the mass M _BH of nuclear black holes for a sample of nearby galaxies, we explore the dependence of galaxy nucleus emissivity at various wavelengths on M _BH. We confirm an almost linear scaling of the black hole mass with the baryonic mass of the host spheroidal galaxy. A remarkably tight relationship is also found with both nuclear and total radio centimetric flux, with a very steep dependence of the radio flux on M _BH ( P  ∝  M ^2.5_BH). The high-frequency radio power is thus a very good tracer of a supermassive black hole, and a good estimator of its mass. This, together with the lack of significant correlations with the low-energy X-ray and far-IR flux, supports the view that advection-dominated accretion is ruling the energy output in the low accretion rate regime. Using the tight dependence of total radio power on M _BH and the rich statistics of radio emission of galaxies, we derive an estimate of the mass function of remnants in the nearby Universe. This is compared with current models of quasar and active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity and of the origin of the hard X-ray background (HXRB). As for the former, continuous long-lived AGN activity is excluded by the present data with high significance, whereas the assumption of a short-lived, possibly recurrent, activity pattern gives remarkable agreement. The presently estimated black hole mass function also implies that the HXRB has been produced by a numerous population (∼ 10⁻² Mpc⁻³) of moderately massive ( M _BH ∼ 10⁷ M⊙) black holes.     

The AGN Feedback in Compact Galaxies: On the Impact of a More Massive Central Black Hole

We conduct high-resolution hydrodynamical simulations using the MACER framework to investigate the interplay between the interstellar medium,active galactic nuclei(AGN) feedback and black hole(BH) feeding in a massive compact galaxy,with an emphasis on the impact of different central BH masses.We find that with a more massive central BH,high-speed outflows are more prominent,and the gas fraction in the compact galaxy is reduced.Due to the lower gas density and higher gas temperature,the compact ...     

Accretion in Strong Gravity: from Galactic to Supermassive Black Holes

The galactic black hole binary systems give an observational template showing how the accretion flow changes as a function of increasing mass accretion rate, or L/L_Edd. These data can be synthesised with theoretical models of the accretion flow to give a coherent picture of accretion in strong gravity, in which the major hard-soft spectral transition is triggered by a change in the nature and geometry of the inner accretion flow from a hot, optically thin plasma to a cool, optically thick accretion disc. However, a straightforward application of these models to AGN gives clear discrepancies in overall spectral shape. Either the underlying accretion model is wrong, despite its success in describing the Galactic systems and/or there is additional physics which breaks the simple scaling from stellar to supermassive black holes.     

VLBI Imaging of Luminous Infrared Galaxies: Starbursts & AGN

As described by Colin Lonsdale in this Workshop, VLBI observations reveal thepresence of both AGN and Starburst activity in Luminous Infrared Galaxies.We highlight new results on two classical LIGs which span the range of LIGradio activity: Arp 220, which reveals luminous radio supernovae (RSN)produced in an intense starburst, and Mrk231, which has a powerful compact,AGN radio core. Second epoch observations of the compact radio sources inArp 220 confirm their nature as luminous Radio Supernovae, but indicate alower luminous RSN frequency (_LRSN 0.3 yr^-1) andconsequent slower decay rate than previously suggested. We interpret thisas due to the dense starburst medium into which the supernovaedetonate. The compact radio morphology of Mrk231 places it among theCompact Symmetric Objects (CSOs) which are suggested to be young radio sources in which asymmetric lobes or hotspots reveal theworking surface of a relativistic jet upon the ambient medium. Assumingthat the lobes in Mrk 231 are confined by ram pressure, we estimate an agefor the jet/compact source, 10⁶yr. We interpret Mrk 231as a newly formed QSO emerging from a starburst.     

The Growth Rate of Supermassive Black Holes and Its Dependence on the Stellar Mass of Galaxies at the Present Epoch

Astronomy Letters - We study the distribution of accretion rates onto supermassive black holes in AGNs of the local Universe ( $$z<0.15$$ ) based on near-infrared and hard X-ray surveys...     

星系中心超大质量黑洞的自转

自转作为描述黑洞天体物理性质的两个基本参数之一,其研究正方兴未艾.本文以星系中心超大质量黑洞(SMBH)的自转为研究主题,阐述自转的确定、宇宙学演化及其对黑洞吸积历史的限制.SMBH附近的加速机制使粒子产生甚高能量的辐射,对这些辐射的观测可以给出中心黑洞的信息.基于此,我们提出了利用TeV光变限制黑洞自转参数的方法.基本原理是:TeV光变给出了辐射区域最大尺度的限制,吸积盘辐射场通过对TeV光子的吸收光深给出了辐射区域最小尺度的限制.由于吸积盘辐射场与黑洞自转直接相关,从而结合TeV光变可以限制黑洞自转.对于给定的光度,快     

Possible Alternatives to the Supermassive Black Hole at the Galactic Center

Now there are two basic observational techniques to investigate a gravitational potential at the Galactic Center, namely, (a) monitoring the orbits of bright stars near the Galactic Center to reconstruct a gravitational potential; (b) measuring the size and shape of shadows around black hole giving an alternative possibility to evaluate black hole parameters in mm-band with VLBI-technique. At the moment, one can use a small relativistic correction approach for stellar orbit analysis (however, in the future the approximation will not be precise enough due to enormous progress of observational facilities) while for smallest structure analysis in VLBI observations one really needs a strong gravitational field approximation. We discuss results of observations, their conventional interpretations, tensions between observations and models and possible hints for a new physics from the observational data and tensions between observations and interpretations. We discuss an opportunity to use a Schwarzschild metric for data interpretation or we have to use more exotic models such as Reissner–Nordstrom or Schwarzschild–de-Sitter metrics for better fits.     

Black Hole Spin in AGN and GBHCs

We discuss constraints on black hole spin and spin-related astrophysics as derived from X-ray spectroscopy. After a brief discussion about the robustness with which X-ray spectroscopy can be used to probe strong gravity, we summarize how these techniques can constrain black hole spin. In particular, we highlight XMM-Newton studies of the Seyfert galaxy MCG-6-30-15 and the stellar-mass black hole GX 339-4. The broad X-ray iron line profile, together with reasonable and general astrophysical assumptions, allow a non-rotating black hole to be rejected in both of these sources. If we make the stronger assertion of no emission from within the innermost stable circular orbit, the MCG-6-30-15 data constrain the dimensionless spin parameter to be a > 0.93. Furthermore, these XMM-Newton data are already providing evidence for exotic spin-related astrophysics in the central regions of this object. We conclude with a discussion of the impact that Constellation-X will have on the study of strong gravity and black hole spin.     

From Nearby Low Luminosity AGN to High Redshift Radio Galaxies: Science Interests with Square Kilometre Array

We present detailed science cases that a large fraction of the Indian AGN community is interested in pursuing with the upcoming Square Kilometre Array (SKA). These interests range from understanding low luminosity active galactic nuclei in the nearby Universe to powerful radio galaxies at high redshifts. Important unresolved science questions in AGN physics are discussed. Ongoing low-frequency surveys with the SKA pathfinder telescope GMRT, are highlighted.     

活动星系核黑洞发电机研究进展

类星体被发现后,黑洞发电机研究成为阐述活动星系核（ＡＧＮ）的产能机制及其宇宙学演化的重要内容之一,主要涉及发电机物理和发电机输出特性两个方面,从广义相对论电动力学（ＧＲＥＤ）发电机理论和“膜模式”出发,在太阳发电机研究中引入引力磁项,形成和αωΩ黑洞发电机理论。发电机输出包括吸积盘辐射和喷流传播。辐射模型在于经典吸积模型的相对论扩展,已能说明ＳｇｒＡ＾＊的宽发射谱,燕可能根据谱特征确定发电机的构型     

Blazar黑洞自旋能量与红移相关性研究

黑洞自旋及其参量能提供黑洞合并及吸积的信息。从文献资料中收集了112个Blazar源,这些源包含了67个FR II射电星系(RG),11个FR II射电噪类星体(RLQ),27个核占优星系(CD)。通过样本数据研究黑洞自旋能量与红移的相关性。研究结果表明:(1)112个Blazar的黑洞自旋能量与红移存在相关性,尤其在爱丁顿磁场条件下(B=BEDD),黑洞自旋能量与红移的相关性最为明显;(2)FR II射电星系(RG)、FR II射电噪类星体(RLQ)、核占优星系(CD)的黑洞自旋能量在3种磁场条件下(B=BEDD,B=104G,B∝j)与红移的相关性强弱上存在差异,但总体趋势较为相似,均呈现正比关系;(3)黑洞自旋能量与红移的强相关性表明,黑洞自旋能量在一定程度上给出黑洞并合与吸积的信息。这些研究结果与其他人用其他方法获得的结果是一致的。     

“Low-State” Black Hole Accretion in Nearby Galaxies

I summarize the main observational properties of low-luminosity AGNs in nearby galaxies to argue that they are the high-mass analogs of black hole X-ray binaries in the “low/hard” state. The principal characteristics of low-state AGNs can be accommodated with a scenario in which the central engine is comprised of three components: an optically thick, geometrically accretion disk with a truncated inner radius, a radiatively inefficient flow, and a compact jet.     

Sgr A*的结构和变化:银河中心的超大质量黑洞

银河中心为我们提供了一个唯一的天体物理实验室来用以研究各式各样的天体物理过程。在文中 ,我们总结和归纳了关于SgrA 观测的最新结果 ,主要涉及源的结构和在流量密度方面的变化。SgrA 现象代表着在低光度活动星系核中围绕一个超大质量黑洞的低辐射率的吸积盘外流的典型例子。从SgrA 观测得到的许多天体物理中悬而未决的问题对现存的天体物理理论是一个挑战。对SgrA 的最新理论模型也作了综述。     

Matter Outflows from AGN: A Unifying Model

We discuss a self-consistent unified model of the matter outflows from AGNs based on a theoretical approach and involving data on AGN evolution and structure. The model includes a unified geometry, two-phase gas dynamics, radiation transfer, and absorption spectrum calculations in the UV and X-ray bands. We briefly discuss several questions about the mass sources of the flows, the covering factors, and the stability of the narrow absorption details.     

On the Black Hole - Bulge Mass Ratios in Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We present estimated ratios of the central black hole mass to the bulge mass (Mbh/Mbulge) for 15 Narrow Line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s). It is found that NLS1s apparently have lower mass ratios: the average mass ratio is about 1 × 10-4 with a spread of 2, which is one order of magnitude lower than for Broad Line AGNs and quiescent galaxies. This lower value, as compared to that established essentially for all other types of galaxies, can be accounted for by an underestimation of the black hole masses and an overestimation of the bulge masses in the NLS1s.     

Orientation of Galaxies in the Local Supercluster: A Review

The progress of the studies on the orientation of galaxies in the Local Supercluster (LSC) is reviewed and a summary of recent results is given. Following a brief introduction of the LSC, we describe the results of early studies based on two-dimensional analysis, which were mostly not conclusive. We describe next the three-dimensional analysis, which is used widely today. Difficulties and systematic effects are explained and the importance of selection effects is described. Then, results based on the new method and modern databases are given, which are summarized as follows. When the LSC is seen as a whole, galaxy planes tend to align perpendicular to the LSC plane with lenticulars showing the most pronounced tendency. Projections onto the LSC plane of the spin vectors of Virgo cluster member galaxies, and to some extent, those of the total LSC galaxies, tend to point to the Virgo cluster center. This tendency is more pronounced for lenticulars than for spirals. It is suggested that ‘field’ galaxies, i.e., those which do not belong to groups with more than three members, may be better objects than other galaxies to probe the information at the early epoch of the LSC formation through the analysis of galaxy orientations. Field lenticulars show a pronounced anisotropic distribution of spin vectors in the sense that they lay their spin vectors parallel to the LSC plane while field spirals show an isotropic spin-vector distribution.