Title: Do Nuclear Star Clusters and Supermassive Black Holes Follow the Same Host-Galaxy Correlations?

Abstract

Studies have suggested that there is a strong correlation between the masses of nuclear star clusters (NSCs) and their host galaxies, a correlation which is said to be an extension of the well-known correlations between supermassive black holes (SMBHs) and their host galaxies. But careful analysis of disk galaxies—including 2D bulge/disk/bar decompositions—shows that while SMBHs correlate with the stellar mass of the bulge component of galaxies, the masses of NSCs correlate much better with the total galaxy stellar mass. In addition, the mass ratio $M_{\text{NSC}}/M_{\star ,\hspace{0.17em}\text{tot}}$ for NSCs in spirals (at least those with Hubble types Sc and later) is typically an order of magnitude smaller than the mass ratio $M_{\text{BH}}/M_{\star ,\hspace{0.17em}\text{bul}}$ of SMBHs. The absence of a universal “central massive object” correlation argues against common formation and growth mechanisms for both SMBHs and NSCs. We also discuss evidence for a break in the NSC-host galaxy correlation, galaxies with Hubble types earlier than Sbc appear to host systematically more massive NSCs than do types Sc and later.

Authors:

Erwin, Peter ^[1]; Gadotti, Dimitri Alexei ^[2]

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+ Show Author Affiliations

1. Max-Planck-Institut für Extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstraβe, 85748 Garching, Germany, Universitäts-Sternwarte München, Scheinerstraβe 1, 81679 München, Germany
2. European Southern Observatory, Alonso de Cordova 3107, Vitacura, Casilla 19001, Santiago 19, Chile

Publication Date:

Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2012

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1209641

Resource Type:

Published Article

Journal Name:

Advances in Astronomy

Additional Journal Information:

Journal Name: Advances in Astronomy Journal Volume: 2012; Journal ID: ISSN 1687-7969

Publisher:

Hindawi Publishing Corporation

Country of Publication:

Country unknown/Code not available

Language:

English