Super-Eddington Accretion in the WISE-Selected Extremely Luminous Infrared Galaxy W2246-0526

Abstract

We use optical and near-infrared spectroscopy to observe rest-UV emission lines and estimate the black hole mass of WISEA J224607.56-052634.9 (W2246-0526) at z = 4.601, the most luminous hot dust-obscured galaxy yet discovered by WISE. From the broad component of the MgII-2799A emission line, we measure a black hole mass of log (MBH/Msun) = 9.6 +- 0.4. The broad CIV-1549A line is asymmetric and significantly blue-shifted. The derived MBH from the blueshift-corrected broad CIV line width agrees with the MgII result. From direct measurement using a well-sampled SED, the bolometric luminosity is 3.6 * 1014 Lsun. The corresponding Eddington ratio for W2246-0526 is lambdaEdd = LAGN / LEdd = 2.8. This high Eddington ratio may reach the level where the luminosity is saturating due to photon trapping in the accretion flow, and be insensitive to the mass accretion rate. In this case, the MBH growth rate in W2246-0526 would exceed the apparent accretion rate derived from the observed luminosity.

0

Turn this paper into a lesson

ArcXiv compiles a structured reading guide from this paper's metadata: plain-English importance, contributions, prerequisite concepts, which sections to read first, flashcards, and a quiz. Grounded in the abstract, never invented.

Discussion (0)

Sign in to join the discussion.

Loading comments…