Limits on the Mass of the Central Black Hole in 16 Nearby Bulges

Details Limits on the Mass of the Central Black Hole in 16 Nearby Bulges Limits on the Mass of the Central Black Hole in 16 Nearby Bulges

2001-10-30

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0110673v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

To appear in ApJ. 11 pages

Scientific paper

10.1086/338351

We report upper limits on the masses of black holes that can be present in the centers of 16 nearby galaxy bulges. These limits for our statistically complete sample were derived from the modeling of the central emission-line widths ([N II] or [S II]), observed over a 0.25" X 0.2" (R < 9 pc) aperture. The experiment has a mean detection sensitivity of 3.9 X 10^6 solar masses. For three sample members with direct determinations of black hole masses our upper limits agree within the uncertainties, while in general our upper limits are found to be close to the masses measured in other bulges with global properties similar to ours. Remarkably, our limits lie quite closely to the recently derived relation between black hole mass and stellar velocity dispersion. These results support a picture wherein the black hole mass and overall galaxy structure are closely linked, as galaxies with exceptionally high black hole masses at a given velocity dispersion apparently are rare.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Limits on the Mass of the Central Black Hole in 16 Nearby Bulges does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Limits on the Mass of the Central Black Hole in 16 Nearby Bulges, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Limits on the Mass of the Central Black Hole in 16 Nearby Bulges will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-104040