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Astro2020 Science White Paper: The Local Relics of of Supermassive Black Hole Seeds
- Publication Year :
- 2019
-
Abstract
- We have compelling evidence for stellar-mass black holes (BHs) of ~5-80 M_sun that form through the death of massive stars. We also have compelling evidence for so-called supermassive BHs (10^5-10^10 M_sun) that are predominantly found in the centers of galaxies. We have very good reason to believe there must be BHs with masses in the gap between these ranges: the first ~10^9 M_sun BHs are observed only hundreds of millions of years after the Big Bang, and all theoretically viable paths to making supermassive BHs require a stage of "intermediate" mass. However, no BHs have yet been reliably detected in the 100-10}^5 M_sun mass range. Uncovering these intermediate-mass BHs of 10^3-10^5 M_sun is within reach in the coming decade. In this white paper we highlight the crucial role that 30-m class telescopes will play in dynamically detecting intermediate-mass black holes, should they exist.
Details
- Database :
- OAIster
- Notes :
- Greene, Jenny E, Barth, Aaron, Bellini, Andrea, Bellovary, Jillian, Holley-Bockelmann, Kelly, Do, Tuan, Gallo, Elena, Gebhardt, Karl, Gultekin, Kayhan, Haiman, Zoltan, Hosek, Matthew, Kim, Dongwon, Libralato, Mattia, Lu, Jessica, Nyland, Kristina, Malkan, Matthew, Reines, Amy, Seth, Anil, Treu, Tommaso, Walsh, Jonelle, Wrobel, Joan
- Publication Type :
- Electronic Resource
- Accession number :
- edsoai.on1367457850
- Document Type :
- Electronic Resource