Empirical Tests of Galactic Black Hole Growth

Drexel University, Philadelphia PA

Investigators

Abstract

AST-0507647 Vogeley This project is an empirical study of the relationship between the growth of galactic nuclear black holes and structure formation, starting with the creation of a catalog of masses for a million quasar black holes. This is possible because an empirical scaling relationship between the size of the broad emission line region and the luminosity of the central source permits virial mass estimates based on single-epoch spectral measurements. The catalog will first be used to study the assembly of black holes and their co-evolution with their host galaxies. Relationships, and especially any systematic biases in them, will be analyzed at a statistical significance never before achieved, allowing testing for possible evolutionary effects and other parameter dependences. Once accurate mass estimates exist, bolometric luminosities, accretion rates, and growth time scales can also be calculated. This study will provide important clues to the environment of black hole formation and the history of the black hole - host galaxy symbiosis. Broader impacts are manifold, both for the astrophysics community and for educational outreach, including readily available, value-added data products, and significant involvement of graduate and undergraduate students.