Bibcode
Shields, Douglas W.; Hughes, J. A.; Barrows, R. S.; Berrier, J.; Davis, B.; Kennefick, D.; Kennefick, J.; Ring, W.; Seigar, M.; Galaxy Evolution Survey, Arkansas
Bibliographical reference
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #215, #435.16; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.381
Advertised on:
1
2010
Citations
2
Refereed citations
1
Description
In order to address the "cosmic downsizing problem," or the
underpopulation of highly massive quasars in the current epoch, we are
exploring a correlation between the pitch angle of a galaxy's spiral
arms and the mass of its central supermassive black hole (SMBH). The
goal is to generate a census of SMBH masses using only photographic
images. This study presents preliminary results testing the relationship
between mass and pitch angle by comparing the masses of a sample of
active spiral galaxies as calculated by the pitch angle method with
those calculated by the mass scaling relationship. Additionally, we
present the null correlation between the pitch angle of spiral galaxies
and redshift. The data set includes 225 galaxies from the GOODS North
and South fields with redshifts out to z 1. There does not appear to
be any dependence of pitch angle on redshift. Consequently, if the
relationship between pitch angle and SMBH mass has not evolved since z
1, then the mean mass of SMBH has also remained constant. If, on the
other hand, the relationship has evolved, then the mean mass has evolved
inversely with the relationship. This conclusion is subject to further
studies on possible selection effects. This research was funded by
NASA/EPSCOR.