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The "Dark-Matter Dominated" Galaxy Segue 1 Modeled with a Black Hole and no Dark Halo

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abstract

The dwarf spheroidal galaxy, Segue 1, is thought to have one of the largest ratios of dark matter to stellar mass. Using orbit-based dynamical models, we model Segue 1, including a dark halo and a central black hole. The best-fit model requires a black hole mass of $4 \pm 1.5 \times 10^5\ M_\odot$. The value of the black hole mass is the same with or without a dark halo. The mass-to-light ratio of the stars is poorly constrained by the dynamical modeling, reflecting that Segue 1 is dominated by mass other than stars. Dynamical models that exclude a black hole provide a worse fit and require a dark halo with very small scale radii of around 100 parsecs. Additionally, the zero black hole models require a stellar orbital distribution that is highly radially biased. The model with a black hole provides an orbital structure that is close to isotropic, more similar to other well-studied systems. We argue that the two-parameter models of stars and black hole provide a better description of Segue 1 than the three-parameter models of stars and two dark halo components. Additional support for a central black hole comes from a significant increase in the central rotation. Using individual velocities, we measure a rotation amplitude of $9.0 \pm 2.4\ \mathrm{km\ s^{-1}}$. Segue 1 is likely being tidally stripped at large radii, and we might be witnessing the remnant nucleus of a more massive system. Alternatively, given the high black hole mass relative to the stellar mass, Segue 1 is analogous to Little Red Dots seen in the early Universe.

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astro-ph.GA 1

years

2025 1

verdicts

CONDITIONAL 1

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A JWST View of the Overmassive Black Hole in NGC 4486B

astro-ph.GA · 2025-05-20 · conditional · novelty 5.0

JWST stellar dynamical modeling of the compact elliptical NGC 4486B yields MBH = 3.6+0.7-0.7 x 10^8 solar masses, and MBH/M* of roughly 4-13%, confirming an overmassive black hole.

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  • A JWST View of the Overmassive Black Hole in NGC 4486B astro-ph.GA · 2025-05-20 · conditional · none · ref 30 · internal anchor

    JWST stellar dynamical modeling of the compact elliptical NGC 4486B yields MBH = 3.6+0.7-0.7 x 10^8 solar masses, and MBH/M* of roughly 4-13%, confirming an overmassive black hole.