The fundamental plane of accretion onto black holes with dynamical masses

Authors
  • K. Gültekin
  • E.M. Cackett
  • J.M. Miller
  • T. Di Matteo
Publication date 2009
Journal Astrophysical Journal
Volume | Issue number 706 | 1
Pages (from-to) 404-416
Organisations
  • Faculty of Science (FNWI) - Anton Pannekoek Institute for Astronomy (API)
Abstract
Black hole accretion and jet production are areas of intensive study in astrophysics. Recent work has found a relation between radio luminosity, X-ray luminosity, and black hole mass. With the assumption that radio and X-ray luminosities are suitable proxies for jet power and accretion power, respectively, a broad fundamental connection between accretion and jet production is implied. In an effort to refine these links and enhance their power, we have explored the above relations exclusively among black holes with direct, dynamical mass-measurements. This approach not only eliminates systematic errors incurred through the use of secondary mass measurements, but also effectively restricts the range of distances considered to a volume-limited sample. Further, we have exclusively used archival data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory to best isolate nuclear sources. We find log L-R = (4.80 +/- 0.24) + (0.78 +/- 0.27) log M-BII + (0.67 +/- 0.12) log L-X, in broad agreement with prior efforts. Owing to the nature of our sample, the plane can be turned into an effective mass predictor. When the full sample is considered, masses are predicted less accurately than with the well-known M-sigma relation. If obscured active galactic nuclei are excluded, the plane is potentially a better predictor than other scaling measures.
Document type Article
Note DOI: 10.1088/0004-637X/706/1/404; eprintid: arXiv:0906.3285
Language English
Published at https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/706/1/404
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