The relation between black hole spin and molecular gas in massive galaxies

TL;DR

This study investigates the connection between black hole spin and molecular gas in massive galaxies, revealing a strong correlation in early-type galaxies but not in late-type ones, highlighting the role of black hole spin in AGN activity.

Contribution

It provides new observational evidence linking black hole spin to molecular gas regulation in early-type galaxies, advancing understanding of AGN fueling mechanisms.

Findings

Strong correlation between molecular gas fraction and black hole spin in early-type galaxies.

No significant correlation in late-type galaxies.

Black hole spin influences molecular gas accretion and AGN activity in massive early-type galaxies.

Abstract

Molecular gas is the key probe for the complex interaction between the accretion of black holes and star formation of the host galaxy of active galactic nuclei (AGN). The molecular gas discovered around the AGN indicates that this gas is providing fuel for the AGN. According to the theoretical model of the relativistic jet, the spin of a black hole enhances the relativistic jet of AGN. The spin of the black hole is used as an indicator of AGN activity. Therefore, we study the relationship between the activity of AGN and molecular gas. We find a significant strong correlation between molecular gas fraction and CO luminosity and black hole spin for the early-type galaxies. However, there is no correlation between molecular gas fraction and CO luminosity and black hole spin for the late-type galaxies. These results indicate that the spin of black holes mainly regulates the accretion of molecular gas in massive early-type galaxies. The activity of AGN depends on the amount of gas.