Massive black holes in galactic nuclei: Observations

Since a black hole does not emit light from its interior or does it have a surface on which light from nearby sources can be reflected, observational study of black hole physics requires observing the gravitational impact of the black hole on its surroundings. A massive black hole leaves a dynamical imprint on stars and gas close by. Gas in the immediate vicinity of an accreting massive black hole can, due to the presence of the black hole, shine so brightly that it outshines the light of the billions of stars in its host galaxy and be detected across the Universe. By observing the emission from stars and gas and determining their kinematics, scientists can extract vital information not only on the fundamental properties of the black holes themselves but also on the impact they have on their surroundings. As it turns out, supermassive black holes appear to play a vital role in shaping the Universe as we know it, as they can profoundly impact the star formation history in galaxies. As a consequence, these black holes indirectly impact the cosmic build up of chemical elements heavier than helium and thus affect when and where life can form. For these reasons alone, observations of massive black holes constitute a very active research area of modern astrophysics.

In this chapter, we aim to provide a general overview — fit for a non-expert — of what scientists have learned, and hope to learn, from analyzing observations of massive black holes and the material around them. We deliberately do not provide a review of the vast literature on this topic but refer to relevant sample journal articles or reviews, when available, for readers interested in exploring the topics in greater detail.