Where to Search for Supermassive Binary Black Holes

Supermassive binary black holes (SMBBHs) are the anticipated byproducts of galaxy mergers and play a pivotal role in shaping galaxy evolution, gravitational wave emissions, and accretion physics. Despite their theoretical prevalence, direct observational evidence for SMBBHs remains elusive, with only a handful of candidates identified to date. This paper explores optimal strategies and key environments for locating SMBBHs, focusing on observational signatures in the broad Balmer lines. We present a preliminary analysis on a flux-limited sample of sources belonging to an evolved spectral type along the quasar main sequence, and we discuss the spectroscopic clues indicative of binary activity and highlight the critical role of time-domain spectroscopic surveys in uncovering periodic variability linked to binary systems.

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Publication Details

Journal
Universe
Published
2025-02-21
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/universe11030076
Primary Topic
Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00
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article

Where to Search for Supermassive Binary Black Holes

E. Bon, M. D’Onofrio, P. Marziani, N. Bon
Universe
Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
article

Where to Search for Supermassive Binary Black Holes

E. Bon, M. D’Onofrio, P. Marziani, N. Bon
article en

Abstract

Supermassive binary black holes (SMBBHs) are the anticipated byproducts of galaxy mergers and play a pivotal role in shaping galaxy evolution, gravitational wave emissions, and accretion physics. Despite their theoretical prevalence, direct observational evidence for SMBBHs remains elusive, with only a handful of candidates identified to date. This paper explores optimal strategies and key environments for locating SMBBHs, focusing on observational signatures in the broad Balmer lines. We present a preliminary analysis on a flux-limited sample of sources belonging to an evolved spectral type along the quasar main sequence, and we discuss the spectroscopic clues indicative of binary activity and highlight the critical role of time-domain spectroscopic surveys in uncovering periodic variability linked to binary systems.

UniverseVol. 11(3)
University of Padua (IT), Astronomical Observatory (RS), Osservatorio Astronomico di Padova (IT), National Institute for Astrophysics (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 98%
Black Holes and Theoretical Physics
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