Publisher's Synopsis
This book explores the critical need for a comprehensive census of supermassive black holes in the local universe, particularly within low mass galaxies.
Supermassive black holes play a crucial role in the co-evolution of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and their host galaxies. To uncover these elusive entities, infrared selection criteria, such as the [3.4]-[4.6] m (W1-W2) color, offer a valuable method for detecting obscured AGN that might remain hidden in X-ray or optical surveys.
Recent research has revealed a surprising abundance of AGN in low mass galaxies, challenging traditional optical selection criteria. Furthermore, it suggests a substantial population of obscured AGN, particularly in low mass galaxies. However, the nature of the dust heating that leads to high W1-W2 color remains a question
