Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2011-10-27
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
14 pages, 10 colour figures. In press on MNRAS
Scientific paper
Quasars are useful tracers of the cosmological evolution of the black hole mass - galaxy relation. We compare the expectations of Semi-Analytical Models (SAM) of galaxy evolution, to the largest available datasets of quasar host galaxies out to z=3. Observed quasar hosts are consistent with no evolution from the local M(BH) - L(host) relation, and suggest a significant increase of the mass ratio Gamma = M(BH)/M(host) from z=0 to z=3. Taken at face value, this is totally at odds with the predictions of SAM, where the intrinsic Gamma shows little evolution and quasar host galaxies at high redshift are systematically overluminous (and/or have undermassive BH). However, since quasars preferentially trace very massive black holes (10^9-10^10 Msun) at the steep end of the luminosity and mass function, the ensuing selection biases can reconcile the present SAM with the observations. A proper interpretation of quasar host data thus requires the global approach of SAM so as to account for statistical biases.
Decarli Roberto
Falomo Renato
Kotilainen Jari
Portinari Laura
No associations
LandOfFree
On the cosmological evolution of the black hole - host galaxy relation in quasars 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 On the cosmological evolution of the black hole - host galaxy relation in quasars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and On the cosmological evolution of the black hole - host galaxy relation in quasars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-376046