Clocking SuperMassive Black Hole Spin with Accuracy MCG

Clocking Super-Massive Black Hole Spin with Accuracy MCG– 6 -30 -15: • Observations by Suzaku unambiguously confirm the extremely broad Fe K line in MCG– 6 -30 -15 • We accurately quantify how far in the accretion disk reaches (< 2 gravitational radii) • The presence of a Kerr, or spinning, black hole is confirmed • We measure the black hole spin parameter to be 90% of maximum

Warped Space-Time & Light-Bending Near the Black Hole in MCG– 6 -30 -15 • Observationally confirm that space-time very close to the black hole is "warped", a key component in Einstein's General Relatively • Light paths close to the black hole can be sharply curved: photons traveling away from the accretion disk can be redirected onto the disk • Confirmation made possible only via Suzaku’s broad energy coverage

Evidence for gravitational light bending around the black hole in MCG– 6 -30 -15 Suzaku lightcurve Strong iron K line and disk reflection from around a Kerr (spinning) black hole. No strong variations in iron line - gravitational light bending around a Kerr Black hole. Constant Reflection hump and iron line

Suzaku can measure the geometry of the accretion disk In MCG– 5 -23 -16, the disk is viewed at an inclination angle of 50 degrees “Edge-on” Disk In MCG– 6 -30 -15, the disk is viewed more face-on, at an angle of 30 degrees “Face-on” Disk

Suzaku Black Hole Spin Measurements MCG– 5 -23 -16 (no evidence for black hole spin) MCG– 6 -30 -15 (spinning black hole)

Iron Line Emission From Multiple Regions of Gas Narrow line MCG -5 -23 -16 Broad line • Suzaku has unambiguously measured the broad and narrow iron lines. • Narrow line emission denotes (low velocity) gas, distant from the black hole, far from the region of extreme gravity • X-ray emission is seen both from gas very close to the black hole and gas that is distant • Confirms our picture of the geometry and accretion flow in AGN

XMM/Chandra Suzaku’s Broad Bandpass Absorption from outflow Iron K Line Thermal Disk Emission? X-ray Continuum Compton Reflection hump