scholarly journals Recoiling Black Holes: Electromagnetic Signatures, Candidates, and Astrophysical Implications

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Komossa
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Galaxy Cores ◽  
Galaxy Assembly ◽  
Anisotropic Emission

Supermassive black holes (SMBHs) may not always reside right at the centers of their host galaxies. This is a prediction of numerical relativity simulations, which imply that the newly formed single SMBH, after binary coalescence in a galaxy merger, can receive kick velocities up to several 1000 km/s due to anisotropic emission of gravitational waves. Long-lived oscillations of the SMBHs in galaxy cores, and in rare cases even SMBH ejections from their host galaxies, are the consequence. Observationally, accreting recoiling SMBHs would appear as quasars spatially and/or kinematically offset from their host galaxies. The presence of the “kicks” has a wide range of astrophysical implications which only now are beginning to be explored, including consequences for black hole and galaxy assembly at the epoch of structure formation, black hole feeding, and unified models of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Here, we review the observational signatures of recoiling SMBHs and the properties of the first candidates which have emerged, including follow-up studies of the candidate recoiling SMBH of SDSSJ092712.65+294344.0.

scholarly journals Electromagnetic Signatures of Recoiling Black Holes

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S267) ◽  
pp. 451-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Komossa
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Follow Up Studies ◽  
Galaxy Cores ◽  
Anisotropic Emission

AbstractRecent numerical relativity simulations predict that coalescing supermassive black holes (SMBHs) can receive kick velocities up to several thousands of kilometers per second due to anisotropic emission of gravitational waves, leading to long-lived oscillations of the SMBHs in galaxy cores and even SMBH ejections from their host galaxies. Observationally, accreting recoiling SMBHs would appear as quasars spatially and/or kinematically offset from their host galaxies. The presence of these “kicks” and “superkicks” has a wide range of exciting astrophysical implications which only now are beginning to be explored, including consequences for black hole and galaxy growth at the epoch of structure formation, modes of feedback, unified models of AGN, and the number of obscured AGN. SMBH recoil oscillations beyond the torus scale can be on the order of a quasar lifetime, thus potentially affecting a large fraction of the quasar population. We discuss how this might explain the long-standing puzzle of a deficiency of obscured type 2 quasars at high luminosities. Observational signatures of recoiling SMBHs are discussed and results from follow-up studies of the candidate recoiling SMBH SDSSJ0927+2943 are presented.

scholarly journals Localization of binary black hole mergers with known inclination

2019 ◽  
Vol 488 (3) ◽  
pp. 4459-4463 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Rainer Corley ◽  
Imre Bartos ◽  
Leo P Singer ◽  
Andrew R Williamson ◽  
Zoltán Haiman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Binary System ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Prior Information ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Electromagnetic Emission ◽  
Accretion Discs ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Binary Black Hole

ABSTRACT The localization of stellar-mass binary black hole mergers using gravitational waves is critical in understanding the properties of the binaries’ host galaxies, observing possible electromagnetic emission from the mergers, or using them as a cosmological distance ladder. The precision of this localization can be substantially increased with prior astrophysical information about the binary system. In particular, constraining the inclination of the binary can reduce the distance uncertainty of the source. Here, we present the first realistic set of localizations for binary black hole mergers, including different prior constraints on the binaries’ inclinations. We find that prior information on the inclination can reduce the localization volume by a factor of 3. We discuss two astrophysical scenarios of interest: (i) follow-up searches for beamed electromagnetic/neutrino counterparts and (ii) mergers in the accretion discs of active galactic nuclei.

scholarly journals Slow and massive: low-spin SMBHs can grow more

2019 ◽  
Vol 489 (1) ◽  
pp. 1373-1378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kastytis Zubovas ◽  
Andrew King
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Size Dependence ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Host Galaxy ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
The Galaxy ◽  
Mass Increment

Abstract Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) probably control the growth of their host galaxies via feedback in the form of wide-angle wind-driven outflows. These establish the observed correlations between supermassive black hole (SMBH) masses and host galaxy properties, e.g. the spheroid velocity dispersion σ. In this paper we consider the growth of the SMBH once it starts driving a large-scale outflow through the galaxy. To clear the gas and ultimately terminate further growth of both the SMBH and the host galaxy, the black hole must continue to grow its mass significantly, by up to a factor of a few, after reaching this point. The mass increment ΔMBH depends sensitively on both galaxy size and SMBH spin. The galaxy size dependence leads to ΔMBH ∝ σ5 and a steepening of the M–σ relation beyond the analytically calculated M ∝ σ4, in agreement with observation. Slowly spinning black holes are much less efficient in producing feedback, so at any given σ the slowest spinning black holes should be the most massive. Current observational constraints are consistent with this picture, but insufficient to test it properly; however, this should change with upcoming surveys.

scholarly journals Epicyclic Oscillations around Simpson–Visser Regular Black Holes and Wormholes

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 279
Author(s):  
Zdeněk Stuchlík ◽  
Jaroslav Vrba
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Observational Data ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Supermassive Black Holes ◽  
Periodic Oscillations ◽  
High Length ◽  
Circular Geodesic

We study epicyclic oscillatory motion along circular geodesics of the Simpson–Visser meta-geometry describing in a unique way regular black-bounce black holes and reflection-symmetric wormholes by using a length parameter l. We give the frequencies of the orbital and epicyclic motion in a Keplerian disc with inner edge at the innermost circular geodesic located above the black hole outer horizon or on the our side of the wormhole. We use these frequencies in the epicyclic resonance version of the so-called geodesic models of high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations (HF QPOs) observed in microquasars and around supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei to test the ability of this meta-geometry to improve the fitting of HF QPOs observational data from the surrounding of supermassive black holes. We demonstrate that this is really possible for wormholes with sufficiently high length parameter l.

scholarly journals Multiwavelength surveys for Active Galactic Nuclei

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S356) ◽  
pp. 11-11
Author(s):  
William Nielsen Brandt
Keyword(s):  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Future Prospects ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
General Survey ◽  
Anisotropic Emission

AbstractMost of what we know about active galactic nuclei (AGNs) has been driven, or at least strongly shaped, by our methods for finding them, and multiwavelength AGN surveys have achieved remarkable successes in recent decades. I will present a broad, and thus necessarily shallow, review of such multiwavelength AGN surveys. I will first present some brief introductory points on, e.g., general survey approaches, AGN luminosities, host galaxies, and anisotropic emission/obscuration. I will then review many of the key current surveys and their results, separating these into ground-based and space-based surveys. Finally, I will discuss some future prospects including essential remaining questions and “discovery space” considerations.

scholarly journals Symmetry and the Arrow of Time in Theoretical Black Hole Astrophysics

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
David Garofalo
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Accretion Disks ◽  
Time Reversal ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Arrow Of Time ◽  
Time Symmetry ◽  
The Universe

While the basic laws of physics seem time-reversal invariant, our understanding of the apparent irreversibility of the macroscopic world is well grounded in the notion of entropy. Because astrophysics deals with the largest structures in the Universe, one expects evidence there for the most pronounced entropic arrow of time. However, in recent theoretical astrophysics work it appears possible to identify constructs with time-reversal symmetry, which is puzzling in the large-scale realm especially because it involves the engines of powerful outflows in active galactic nuclei which deal with macroscopic constituents such as accretion disks, magnetic fields, and black holes. Nonetheless, the underlying theoretical structure from which this accreting black hole framework emerges displays a time-symmetric harmonic behavior, a feature reminiscent of basic and simple laws of physics. While we may expect such behavior for classical black holes due to their simplicity, manifestations of such symmetry on the scale of galaxies, instead, surprise. In fact, we identify a parallel between the astrophysical tug-of-war between accretion disks and jets in this model and the time symmetry-breaking of a simple overdamped harmonic oscillator. The validity of these theoretical ideas in combination with this unexpected parallel suggests that black holes are more influential in astrophysics than currently recognized and that black hole astrophysics is a more fundamental discipline.

scholarly journals Supermassive black holes surrounded by dark matter modeled as anisotropic fluid: epicyclic oscillations and their fitting to observed QPOs

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (11) ◽  
pp. 059
Author(s):  
Z. Stuchlík ◽  
J. Vrba
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Dark Matter ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Supermassive Black Holes ◽  
Anisotropic Fluid ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Black Hole Spacetimes ◽  
Test Particles

Abstract Recently introduced exact solution of the Einstein gravity coupled minimally to an anisotropic fluid representing dark matter can well represent supermassive black holes in galactic nuclei with realistic distribution of dark matter around the black hole, given by the Hernquist-like density distribution. For these fluid-hairy black hole spacetimes, properties of the gravitational radiation, quasinormal ringing, and optical phenomena were studied, giving interesting results. Here, using the range of physical parameters of these spacetimes allowing for their relevance in astrophysics, we study the epicyclic oscillatory motion of test particles in these spacetimes. The frequencies of the orbital and epicyclic motion are applied in the epicyclic resonance variant of the geodesic model of quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) observed in active galactic nuclei to demonstrate the possibility to solve the cases where the standard vacuum black hole spacetimes are not allowing for explanation of the observed data. We demonstrate that the geodesic model can explain the QPOs observed in most of the active galactic nuclei for the fluid-hairy black holes with reasonable halo parameters.

Determination of supermassive black hole spins in active galactic nuclei

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (02n03) ◽  
pp. 2040054
Author(s):  
M. Yu. Piotrovich ◽  
V. L. Afanasiev ◽  
S. D. Buliga ◽  
T. M. Natsvlishvili
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Accretion Disk ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Supermassive Black Holes ◽  
Disk Model ◽  
Supermassive Black Hole

Based on spectropolarimetry for a number of active galactic nuclei in Seyfert 1 type galaxies observed with the 6-m BTA telescope, we have estimated the spins of the supermassive black holes at the centers of these galaxies. We have determined the spins based on the standard Shakura-Sunyaev accretion disk model. More than 70% of the investigated active galactic nuclei are shown to have Kerr supermassive black holes with a dimensionless spin greater than 0.9.

Density diagnostics of photoionized outflows in active galactic nuclei

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (S350) ◽  
pp. 274-277
Author(s):  
Junjie Mao
Keyword(s):  
Black Hole ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Density Measurement ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Next Generation ◽  
Host Galaxies ◽  
Current Generation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
The Impact

AbstractPhotoionized outflows in active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are thought to influence their circumnuclear and host galactic environment. However, the distance of the outflow with respect to the black hole is poorly constrained, which limits our understanding of the kinetic power by the outflow. Therefore, the impact of AGN outflows on their host galaxies is uncertain. If the density of the outflow is known, its distance can be derived. Density measurement via variability studies and density sensitive lines have been used, albeit not very effective in the X-ray band. Good measurements are rather demanding or challenging for the current generation of (grating) spectrometers. The next generation of spectrometers will certainly provide data with better quality and large quantity, leading to tight constraints on the location and the kinetic power of AGN outflows. This contribution summarizes the state-of-the-art in this field.

scholarly journals Relativistic Jets from Active Galactic Nuclei

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 467-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger Blandford ◽  
David Meier ◽  
Anthony Readhead
Keyword(s):  
Black Holes ◽  
Black Hole ◽  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Major Influence ◽  
Buoyant Plumes ◽  
Normal Galaxies ◽  
Sphere Of Influence

The nuclei of most normal galaxies contain supermassive black holes, which can accrete gas through a disk and become active. These active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can form jets that are observed on scales from astronomical units to megaparsecs and from meter wavelengths to TeV energies. High-resolution radio imaging and multiwavelength/messenger campaigns are elucidating the conditions under which this happens. Evidence is presented that: ▪ Relativistic AGN jets are formed when the black hole spins and the the accretion disk is strongly magnetized, perhaps on account of gas accreting at high latitude beyond the black hole sphere of influence. ▪ AGN jets are collimated close to the black hole by magnetic stress associated with a disk wind. ▪ Higher-power jets can emerge from their galactic nuclei in a relativistic, supersonic, and proton-dominated state, and they terminate in strong, hot spot shocks; lower-power jets are degraded to buoyant plumes and bubbles. ▪ Jets may accelerate protons to EeV energies, which contribute to the cosmic ray spectrum and may initiate pair cascades that can efficiently radiate synchrotron γ-rays. ▪ Jets were far more common when the Universe was a few billion years old and black holes and massive galaxies were growing rapidly. ▪ Jets can have a major influence on their environments, stimulating and limiting the growth of galaxies. The observational prospects for securing our understanding of AGN jets are bright.

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