Special Session SS17  13 July 2023

The Last Kiloparsecs: From Dual AGN to Massive Black Hole Binary Mergers

Aims and scope

Identifying dual AGN and supermassive black hole (SMBH) binaries is of major importance for both, extragalactic astronomy and fundamental physics. Such systems allow us to observationally constrain the galaxy merger rate and study physical processes playing out from the initial galactic merger to SMBH coalescence. In addition, as potential sources of low-frequency GWs, SMBH binaries probe gravity at its extremes and extend the GW spectrum to frequencies unattainable from the ground. Dual AGN and SMBH binaries are therefore primary sources for multi-messenger observations. This special session will provide a venue for discussing the recent strategies used to study multiple SMBH systems, whether in observations or theoretical models. One of the session aims is to illustrate how present-day efforts can best prepare us for much anticipated multi-messenger detections of SMBH binaries in the future.

Programme

  • What are the best observational strategies to find and characterize multiple AGN at small and large separations?
  • What can kiloparsec-scale dual AGN teach us about galaxy evolution and incidence of SMBH mergers?
  • Are we any closer to a definitive electromagnetic detection of a gravitationally bound SMBH binary?
  • How can present-day efforts prepare us for multi-messenger detections of SMBH mergers?


  • The program consists of three sections, each introduced by two invited review speakers. Part of the last session will be dedicated to open questions and a round table.

    Invited speakers

    • Stefano Bianchi (University Roma Tre, Italy)
    • Laura Blecha (University of Florida, US)
    • Jessie C. Runnoe (Vanderbilt University, US)
    • Elisa Bortolas (University of Milano Bicocca, Italy)
    • Xin Liu (University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, US)
    • Alberto Sesana (University of Milano Bicocca, Italy)

    Scientific organisers

    T. Bogdanovic (Georgia Tech, US), P. R. Capelo (U Zurich, Switzerland), M. Charisi (U Vanderbilt. US), A. De Rosa (INAF/IAPS, Italy, Chair), M. Guainazzi (ESA-ESTEC, Netherlands), P. Severgnini (INAF/AO-Brera, Italy), C. Vignali (U Bologna, Italy)

    Contact

    dualagn.eas2023 @ gmail.com

    Updated on Tue May 02 10:14:12 CEST 2023