Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1-1-2017
Abstract
The LIGO/Virgo detections of gravitational waves from merging black holes of ≃ 30 solar mass suggest progenitor stars of low metallicity (Z/ZO ≤ 0.3). In this talk I will provide constrains on where the progenitors of GW150914 and GW170104 may have formed, based on advanced models of galaxy formation and evolution combined with binary population synthesis models. First I will combine estimates of galaxy properties (star-forming gas metallicity, star formation rate and merger rate) across cosmic time to predict the low redshift BBH merger rate as a function of present day host galaxy mass, formation redshift of the progenitor system and different progenitor metallicities. I will show that the signal is dominated by binaries formed at the peak of star formation in massive galaxies with and binaries formed recently in dwarf galaxies. Then, I will present what very high resolution hydrodynamic simulations of different galaxy types can learn us about their black hole populations.
Publication Source (Journal or Book title)
Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union
First Page
40
Last Page
45
Recommended Citation
Lamberts, A., González, G., & Hynes, R. (2017). Merging massive black holes the right place and the right time. Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union, 13 (S338), 40-45. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1743921318000182