Physical Society Colloquium

Beyond the M-sigma relation:
The role of black holes in galaxy evolution

Jenny Greene

Department of Astronomy
University of Texas

Supermassive black holes (BHs) are a ubiquitous component of nearby galaxies, and we believe that BH growth plays an important role in galaxy evolution. I will discuss two projects, each designed to elucidate the role of BH growth in galaxy evolution. I begin with a new look at local BH-bulge scaling relations provided by a large sample of spiral galaxies containing megamaser disks. The resulting exquisite BH mass measurements provide strong evidence that BHs evolve differently in low-mass spiral galaxies. Then, I will discuss ongoing efforts to pin down the elusive binary BH population. I will present an exciting new sample of dual BHs uncovered with Magellan.