Massive Black Hole Binaries: Dynamical Evolution and Observational Signatures. (19th December 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dotti, M.; Sesana, A.; Decarli, R.
• Other Names: Shankar Francesco Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Advances in astronomy. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2011-12-19
• Subjects: Astronomy -- Periodicals; Astronomy; Periodicals; 520
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/940568
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-7977

Abstract

Abstract : The study of the dynamical evolution of massive black hole pairs in mergers is crucial in the context of a hierarchical galaxy formation scenario. The timescales for the formation and the coalescence of black hole binaries are still poorly constrained, resulting in large uncertainties in the expected rate of massive black hole binaries detectable in the electromagnetic and gravitational wave spectra. Here, we review the current theoretical understanding of the black hole pairing in galaxy mergers, with a particular attention to recent developments and open issues. We conclude with a review of the expected observational signatures of massive binaries and of the candidates discussed in literature to date.