Discovery of an Intermediate Mass Black Hole at the center of the starburst/Seyfert composite galaxy IRAS 01072+4954

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution near-infrared observations and modeling to identify an intermediate mass black hole (~10^5 solar masses) at the center of the galaxy IRAS 01072+4954, which exhibits unique starburst and Seyfert features.

Contribution

It provides the first evidence for an intermediate mass black hole in IRAS 01072+4954 using combined photometric and kinematic analysis.

Findings

Indications of a bar-like structure in the galaxy.

Black hole mass estimated at approximately 10^5 solar masses.

Consistent evidence from multiple scaling relations.

Abstract

The starburst/Seyfert composite galaxy IRAS 01072+4954 (z=0.0236) is an enigmatic source that combines a Seyfert~1-like X-ray emission with a starburst optical spectrum that lacks broad line emission. We performed high angular resolution observations of the central kiloparsec of this galaxy in the near-infrared. Combining our data with 2MASS images of the whole galaxy, we obtain and model the surface brightness profile. We find indications for the presence of an elongated bar-like structure in both data sets. We also model the line of sight velocity distribution of the stars in the bulge. The derived photometrical and kinematical parameters of the bulge are used to evaluate the black hole mass through scaling relations. We find that all reliable estimations of the black hole mass are consistent with the presence of an intermediate mass black hole with a mass of ~10^5 solar masses (or less).