Galaxy-SMBH co-evolution in 2,435 DESI disk galaxies and merger-free BH growth in bulgeless disks
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Oxford University Press (OUP) (2026) stag1783
Abstract:
Abstract We analyse black hole scaling relations for disk-dominated galaxies, and present evidence for secularly driven galaxy-black hole co-evolution. We do this observationally by looking at âbulgelessâ galaxies, where the lack of a stellar bulge suggests a quiet merger history. We first compose a sample of 2,435 disk-dominated galaxies hosting optical broad line active galactic nuclei (AGN) from DESI data, and find a $M_{\mathrm{BH}^{}}$â$M_{*}^{}$ scaling relation of log (MBH) $= - 3.7^{+0.3}_{-0.3} + 1.00^{+0.03}_{-0.03} \log (M_*)$. From these, we identify 546 bulgeless galaxies hosting AGN, a factor of âł 5 larger than pre-existing samples, and find they follow the same $M_{\mathrm{BH}^{}}$-$M_{*}^{}$ relation as the general disk galaxy sample. Comparing the bulgeless galaxies to those with some bulge component, we find good agreement in the $M_{\mathrm{BH}^{}}$â$M_{*}^{}$ relation (within 3Ï), but disagreement in the $M_{\mathrm{BH}^{}}$â$M_{\mathrm{*,bulge}}^{}$ relation (at >7Ï). This is the opposite of what is expected from merger-driven co-evolution, suggesting secular growth is significant in establishing observed $M_{\mathrm{BH}^{}}$â$M_{*}^{}$ scaling relations. Furthermore, in a control sample of early-type galaxies we find tentative evidence of increased AGN luminosity compared to the bulgeless sample, but no statistical difference in black hole mass. This suggests the assumed merger-dominated evolutionary history of early-type galaxies does not lead to significantly increased long-term BH growth. These results support numerous recent observational and theoretical studies which suggest secular processes fuel significant supermassive black hole growth and galaxy-black hole co-evolution.The Role of Baryonic and Dark Matter in Bar Kinematics
The Astrophysical Journal American Astronomical Society 1007:1 (2026) 47
Abstract:
Simulations predict that bars in galaxies should slow down over time. This is often attributed to the exchange of angular momentum between the bar and other regions of the galaxy, such as the outer disk and dark matter halo, which implies that galaxies with a more massive halo or disk should be able to slow down the bar more efficiently. However, observational evidence for this process has been limited. In this work, we provide observational support for the slowing down of bars as predicted by simulations. We combine bar kinematics measurements obtained with the TremaineâWeinberg method and host galaxy mass estimates derived from Jeans anisotropic models for a sample of 30 galaxies from the MaNGA survey. We find a statistically significant anticorrelation (>4Ï) between the bar pattern speed and both the stellar and total dynamical mass, which suggests that the slowest bars reside in the most massive galaxies. However, while the slope of the best-fit line between the pattern speed and dark matter mass is negative, it is not statistically significant (2.43Ï). We also find that bars with lower pattern speeds have more extended NFW dark matter profiles with lower central densities. Additionally, we find statistically significant correlations (>3Ï) between the corotation radius and the stellar mass, dark matter mass, and total dynamical mass. Finally, we find no significant correlations that involve the dark matter fraction or R , likely due to the inherent challenges associated with measuring these specific parameters accurately.Euclid Quick Data Release (Q1)
Astronomy & Astrophysics EDP Sciences 711 (2026) a9
Abstract:
We present a detailed visual morphology catalogue for the Euclid Quick Release 1 (Q1). Our catalogue includes galaxy features such as bars, spiral arms, and ongoing mergers, for the 378 000 bright ( I E < 20.5) or extended (area â„700 pixels) galaxies in Q1. The catalogue was created by finetuning the Zoobot galaxy foundation models on annotations from an intensive one-month campaign by Galaxy Zoo volunteers. Our measurements are fully automated, and hence fully scaleable. This catalogue is the first 0.4% of the approximately 100 million galaxies where Euclid will ultimately resolve detailed morphology.Introducing Î V â â g: a new universal kinematic disturbance parameter
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society Oxford University Press 548:3 (2026) stag747
Abstract:
We introduce a new kinematic disturbance parameter, (pronounced âDVSGâ), which takes advantage of integral field spectroscopy (IFS) to quantify differences between a galaxyâs stellar and gas velocity maps. The motivation behind is to capture disturbances in the kinematics of a galaxy that might be missed by alternative methods, while also attempting to minimize bias towards galaxy properties or features of the IFS data. We first detail the reasons for introducing this parameter and explain how the value of a galaxy can be calculated. We then present initial results using to quantify the kinematic disturbance of obscured active galactic nuclei (AGNs) found in the MaNGA (Mapping Nearby Galaxies at Apache Point Observatory) survey. We find that there is no statistically significant difference between the distributions of AGN and a control sample (matched in mass and redshift) of inactive galaxies. This suggests that AGN triggering may not be preferentially caused by any distinct kinematic disturbance process, or combination of processes, beyond those observed in inactive galaxies.Here Be SDRAGNsâSpiral Galaxies Hosting Large Double Radio Sources
The Astronomical Journal IOP Publishing 171:5 (2026) 289