The Correlation Between Supermassive Black Hole Mass and the Structure of Ellipticals and Bulges

Abstract

We demonstrate a strong correlation between supermassive black hole (SMBH) mass and the global structure of ellipticals and bulges: more centrally concentrated bulges and ellipticals (higher Sersic index $n$) host higher-mass black holes. This correlation is as good as that previously found between SMBH mass and central velocity dispersion, with comparable scatter. In addition, by carefully modeling the bulges of disk galaxies so that bars, inner disks, and the like do not accidentally contribute to bulge light, we find that the correlation between SMBH mass and bulge or elliptical luminosity is similarly close.

LaTeX, 5 pages, 3 EPS figures. To appear in "Carnegie Observatories Astrophysics Series, Vol. 1: Coevolution of Black Holes and Galaxies," ed. L.C. Ho (Pasadena: Carnegie Observatories, http://www.ociw.edu/ociw/symposia/series/symposium1/proceedings.html)