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Radio continuum observations of 47 Tucanae and ω Centauri: Hints for intermediate-mass black holes?
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Radio continuum observations of 47 Tucanae and ω Centauri: Hints for intermediate-mass black holes?

Ting-Ni Lu and Albert K. H. Kong
Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol.729(2 PART II), L25
10/03/2011

Abstract

black hole physics globular clusters: individual (47 Tucanae: Omega Centauri)
We present results of deep radio continuum observations of two galactic globular clusters 47 Tucanae (47Tuc) and ω Centauri (ω Cen) with the Australia Telescope Compact Array. No statistically significant evidence for radio emission was found from the central region for the two clusters. However, both clusters show a 2.5σ detection near the center that may be confirmed by future deeper radio observations. The 3σ upper limits of the radio observations are 20 and 40 μJy beam -1 for ω Cen and 47Tuc, respectively. By using the fundamental plane of accreting black holes, which describes the relationship between radio luminosity, X-ray luminosity, and black hole mass, we constrain the mass of a possible intermediate-mass black hole (IMBH) in the globualar clusters. We also compare our results with other globular clusters and discuss the existence of IMBHs in globular clusters. © 2011. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

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