Speaker: Eli Brunner-Huber (Iowa State)

Title: Hunting for Intermediate-Mass Black Holes Using X-ray and Optical Images of Galaxies.

Abstract: The existence of stellar-mass and supermassive black holes has been confirmed through various modes of observation such as gravitational wave analysis and large-scope telescope experiments, but the existence of hypothesized black holes with masses between these two ranges, called Intermediate-Mass Black Holes (IMBHs), has yet to be confirmed. By testing and using a proposed relationship between a galaxy's spiral arm pitch angle, which relates the tightness of a spiral galaxy's arms, and the mass of the central black hole, a sample of galaxies has been identified as candidates for hosting these IMBHs and become a point of interest for further research.