Gemini and Hubble Space Telescope Evidence for an Intermediate Mass Black Hole in omega Centauri

TL;DR

This study provides evidence for an intermediate mass black hole in omega Centauri through HST imaging and Gemini spectroscopic data, suggesting a black hole of about 40,000 solar masses influences the cluster's core dynamics.

Contribution

First to combine HST imaging with Gemini IFU data to infer an intermediate mass black hole in omega Centauri using dynamical modeling.

Findings

Velocity dispersion rises towards the center.

Black hole mass estimated at ~40,000 solar masses.

No black hole scenario rejected at >99% significance.

Abstract

The globular cluster omega Centauri is one of the largest and most massive members of the galactic system. However, its classification as a globular cluster has been challenged making it a candidate for being the stripped core of an accreted dwarf galaxy; this together with the fact that it has one of the largest velocity dispersions for star clusters in our galaxy makes it an interesting candidate for harboring an intermediate mass black hole. We measure the surface brightness profile from integrated light on an HST}/ACS image of the center, and find a central power-law cusp of logarithmic slope -0.08. We also analyze Gemini GMOS-IFU kinematic data for a 5x5 arcsec field centered on the nucleus of the cluster, as well as for a field 14 arcsecaway. We detect a clear rise in the velocity dispersion from 18.6 km/s at 14 arcsec to 23 km/s in the center. A rise in the velocity dispersion could be due to a central black hole, a central concentration of stellar remnants, or a central orbital structure that is radially biased. We discuss each of these possibilities. An isotropic, spherical dynamical model implies a black hole mass of 4.0^{+0.75}_{-1.0} times 10^4 M_sun, and excludes the no black hole case at greater than 99% significance. We have also run flattened, orbit-based models and find similar results. While our preferred model is the existence of a central black hole, detailed numerical simulations are required to confidently rule out the other possibilities.