Axisymmetric, Three-Integral Models of Galaxies: A Massive Black Hole in NGC 3379

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Abstract

We fit axisymmetric 3-integral dynamical models to NGC3379 using the line-of-sight velocity distribution obtained from HST/FOS spectra of the galaxy center and ground-based long-slit spectroscopy along four position angles, with the light distribution constrained by WFPC2 and ground-based images. We have fitted models with inclinations from 29 (intrinsic galaxy type E5) to 90 degrees (intrinsic E1) and black hole masses from 0 to 1e9 M_solar. The best-fit black hole masses range from 6e7 to 2e8 M_solar, depending on inclination. The velocity ellipsoid of the best model is not consistent with either isotropy or a two-integral distribution function. Along the major axis, the velocity ellipsoid becomes tangential at the innermost bin, radial in the mid-range radii, and tangential again at the outermost bins. For the acceptable models, the radial to tangential dispersion in the mid-range radii ranges from 1.1 < sigma_r / sigma_t < 1.7. Compared with these 3-integral models, 2-integral isotropic models overestimate the black hole mass since they cannot provide adequate radial motion. However, the models presented in this paper still contain restrictive assumptions-namely assumptions of constant M/L and spheroidal symmetry-requiring yet more models to study black hole properties in complete generality.

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