The origin of supermassive black holes (SMBHs) is a key open question for contemporary astrophysics and cosmology. After reviewing various proposed formation theories, we focus on the predictions of a model of SMBH formation from Pop III.1 protostars, i.e., metal-free stars forming in locally isolated dark matter minihalos, where dark matter annihilation has a chance to alter the structure of the star allowing growth to supermassive scales (Banik, Tan & Monaco 2019; Singh, Monaco & Tan 2023; Cammelli et al. 2024). The model predicts that all SMBHs have already formed by z ~ 20 with a spatial distribution that is initially relatively unclustered. We also present predictions for SMBH occupation fractions, host galaxy properties, frequency of binary AGN and the gravitational wave background from this SMBH population. These predictions are compared to latest results from HST, JWST and pulsar timing array observations.
09
Okt
USM Colloquium by Jonathan Tan: On the Origin of Supermassive Black Holes
Termin:
- Mi.:
- 11:00 - 12:00 Uhr
9. Oktober 2024