IR signature of CMBH in nearby dwarf galaxies

We identify 303 candidate AGN, of which 276 were subsequently found to have been independently identified as AGN via other methods. The remaining 9% require follow-up observations for confirmation. The activity is detected in galaxies with stellar masses from ~10^6^ to 10^9^M_{sun}_; assuming the candidates are AGN, the black hole masses are estimated to be ~10^3^-10^6^M_{sun}_, adopting L_bol_=0.1L_Edd_.

The black hole masses probed are several orders of magnitude smaller than previously reported for centrally located massive black holes. We examine the stellar mass versus black hole mass relationship in this low galaxy mass regime. We find that it is consistent with the existing relation extending linearly (in log-log space) into the lower mass regime.

These findings suggest that CMBH are present in low-mass galaxies and in the Local Universe, and provide new impetus for follow-up dynamical studies of quiescent black holes in local dwarf galaxies.