Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 1997
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1997hst..prop.7350b&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #7350
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #7350 Agn/Quasars
Scientific paper
We propose to directly test the AGN supermassive black hole paradigm by analyzing the stellar dynamics to determine the masses of the supermassive black holes that are suspected to reside in four nearby radio-quiet AGNs, namely M81, NGC 3998, NGC 4151, and NGC 4278. The motivation for measuring the stellar dynamics in these AGNs with STIS is compelling. In addition to the fact that all contain compact nuclear radio sources, these four radio-quiet AGNs show the best evidence for large central mass concentrations among the eight nearby for large central mass concentrations among the eight nearby radio-quiet AGNs for which we have recently measured the stellar dynamics from the ground in sub-arcsecond seeing. For the purpose of measuring stellar dynamics in galaxies, STIS has two advantages that were not available with FOS {a long- slit capability and a high throughput at the Ca II absorption lines near 8600 Angstrom}, and thus STIS significantly increases the efficiency of such observations. Determining the central engine masses in these AGNs will increase {by nearly a factor of two} the number of AGNs whose nuclear gravitational potentials have been mapped {with sufficient spatial resolution}. Obtaining a large sample of central engine mass determinations is a crucial first step toward understanding the physics of AGN central engines, including the puzzling difference between radio-loud and radio-quiet AGNs.
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