Talk Details
Monday, February 3, 2014 - 11:00am
Ronald Laesker (MPIA):
"Black Hole scaling relations - overview and recent developments"
Abstract. I will give an overview of the current status of the scaling relations between central Supermassive Black Holes (SBHs) and their host galaxies' global properties. These relations are thought to reflect non-gravitational interactions as well as simultaneous merging of SBHs and galaxies in the LCDM hierarchy. The balance and details of these processes are under debate but likely essential for our understanding of galaxy evolution and the (yet unknown) origin of SBHs. Although the scaling relations are generally considered as established and significant, their empirical characterization continues to evolve and appears still uncertain. I will review recent developments in the field with a focus on the SBH mass - (bulge) galaxy mass relation, relevant observational techniques and challenges, and touch on theoretical as well as statistical considerations.