Description:

Observational searches for dual active galactic nuclei (AGNs) at kiloparsec separations are crucial for understanding the role of galaxy mergers in the evolution of galaxies. In addition, kiloparsec-scale dual AGNs are the parent population of merging massive black hole (MBH) binaries. In this talk, I will describe our recent efforts to quantify the observational properties of dual AGNs that are most likely to result in MBH mergers and the emission of gravitational waves. I will also discuss how dual AGNs can be used to constrain the cosmological MBH coalescence rate and make predictions for the detection rate of the future gravitational wave detector LISA.

Tamara Bogdanovic, Associate Professor, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta

Host: Professor Giacomo Fragione