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Gemini e-Newscast #63
September 26, 2014
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A Supermassive Black Hole in an Extremely Small Galaxy
Anil Seth (University of Utah) and colleagues discovered that an ultracompact dwarf galaxy harbors a supermassive black hole – the smallest galaxy known to contain such a supermassive object. The team obtained high spatial resolution kinematic data using the Near-Infrared Integral Field Spectrometer (NIFS) and the laser guide star adaptive optics system on Gemini North to measure the black hole’s mass, which they found to be about 21 million solar masses. This accounts for some 15% of the total mass of the ultracompact dwarf galaxy. The extremely large black hole mass fraction, and relatively normal stellar mass to light ratio of this object, called M60-UCD1, suggest that it is the remains of a tidally-stripped galaxy. More information and links to video simulations are available on the Gemini web page, and the full results are published in Nature (subscription required).
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Stellar Kinematic Maps of M60-UCD1 show clear rotation and a dispersion peak. Panels a and b show the measured values, and panels c and d sow the best-fit dynamical model. A black hole is required to replicate the central dispersion peak.
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Funding Available for Gemini Instrument Feasibility Studies
We are pleased to announce the release of the Gemini Instrument Feasibility Studies Request for Proposals. This is an opportunity to support funded feasibility studies for the next new facility instrument. Basic information is posted at: www.gemini.edu/node/12266, with more complete information linked from the webpage.
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UCG 2014 Report Posted
The Users’ Committee for Gemini (UCG) met in La Serena on August 18 and 19, and their 2014 report is available at the Gemini website (PDF download). The Observatory thanks the members for their efforts, and is particularly looking forward to their contributions to support the international Future and Science of Gemini meeting in Toronto, June 14–18, 2015. The UCG will provide input for a pre-meeting survey of the Gemini community, and members will organize an “unconference” session where the users of current instruments share expertise and ideas.
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Gemini North Shutdown Complete
The annual maintenance shutdown of Gemini North is complete, and we have returned to regular science observations.
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