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Structure of the globular cluster M15 and constraints on a massive central black hole

Roeland P. van der Marel
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Abstract

Globular clusters could harbor massive central black holes (BHs), just as galaxies do. So far, no unambiguous detection of a massive BH has been reported for any globular cluster. However, the dense core-collapsed cluster M15 seems to be a good candidate. I review the available photometric and kinematic data for this cluster. Both are consistent with a BH of approximately 2000 solar masses, although such a BH is not unambiguously required by the data. I discuss some ongoing studies with Keck and HST which should shed more light on this issue in the coming years.

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Roeland P. van der Marel. 2000-01-19. Structure of the globular cluster M15 and constraints on a massive central black hole. https://doi.org/10.1007/10720995_54

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