Unveiling an intermediate-mass black hole in the spiral galaxy NGC 4088
Abstract
We have recently detected compact radio emission from the ULX N4088-X1 using the EVN at 1.6 GHz consistent with steady jets from a black hole. A series of Swift observations obtained around the same time found the spectrum to be very hard, consistent with the low/hard state when steady jets are expected. The radio and X-ray luminosities are consistent with a black hole mass of ~10,000 Msun, however to accurately measure the mass using the fundamental plane of accreting black holes we need observations at 5 GHz. To this end we have been awarded additional 5 GHz EVN observations in early June, and we request a simultaneous Chandra DDT observation to accurately measure the mass and confirm the association between the X-ray and radio emission (for which a sub-arcsecond X-ray position is needed). If confirmed, this would be the first detection of steady jets from an intermediate mass black hole (IMBH), and would provide the first accurate mass measurement of an IMBH.
- Publication:
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Chandra Proposal
- Pub Date:
- September 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011cxo..prop.3514M