Dual AGN and Multiple SMBH Systems in the Era of SKAO
Q. D'Amato, L. Cui, R. Deane, S. Komossa, C. Pillay, A. Tripathi, P. Kharb, H. Guo, S. Nandi, K. Rubinur, S. Anton, T. An, S. Bonoli, N. Chang, R. Dave, A. De Rosa, M. Habouzit, F. Mannucci, I. Prandoni, P. Severgnini, M. Scialpi, C. Spingola, C. Vignali, W. Xu, X. Yan, Y. Zhang
astro-ph.HE, astro-ph.GA
Submitted: 2026-06-26
Comments: Published in Advancing Astrophysics with the SKA II (AASKAII), 2026 (arXiv:2606.20366). Report-No: AASKAII/DAmato01. Advancing Astrophysics with the SKA II (AASKAII) outlines the transformative scientific advances that will be enabled by the SKA telescopes
License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/
The gist: We present a radio-oriented review of current strategies for the detection and characterization of dual active galactic nuclei (DAGN) and supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs), emphasizing the
Terminology
Abstract
We present a radio-oriented review of current strategies for the detection and characterization of dual active galactic nuclei (DAGN) and supermassive black hole binaries (SMBHBs), emphasizing the crucial role of radio interferometry in advancing this field. We discuss how high-resolution radio imaging - particularly through very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) - provides a unique, dust-unbiased tool to identify multiple accreting SMBHs, disentangle AGN-related emission from star formation, and trace components from tens of kpc to sub-parsec scales. We summarize current observational limitations, such as insufficient sensitivity-resolution combination and area coverage. We then outline how the SKAO will overcome these constraints through its unprecedented combination of sensitivity, survey speed, imaging fidelity and angular resolution, enabling the discovery and characterization of dual and binary SMBHs from the nearby Universe to the epoch of reionization. Several science cases are presented, including radio follow-ups of optical/infrared-selected DAGN, direct blind radio selection of DAGN, studies of compact bound SMBHBs, and the link between SMBHB orbital evolution and low-frequency gravitational wave emission. We further emphasize the synergy between SKAO observations and modern and upcoming facilities such as the James Webb and Euclid space telescopes, Rubin Observatory, and gravitational wave detectors including the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna and pulsar timing arrays. These combined capabilities will allow SKAO to enable the first comprehensive radio census of dual and binary SMBH systems, bridge the gap between electromagnetic and gravitational wave observations, and provide a statistically significant view of SMBH pairing, accretion, and merger-driven feedback throughout cosmic history.
Sources
- Constraints on the early growth of massive black holes from PTA and JWST with L-GalaxiesBH
- Anticipated Performance of the Square Kilometre Array -- Phase 1 (SKA1)
- Astro2020 science white paper: The gravitational wave view of massive black holes
- LISA Definition Study Report
- Massive black holes in galactic nuclei: Theory and Simulations
- Active galactic nuclei do not exhibit strictly sinusoidal brightness variations
- The MeerKAT International GHz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration (MIGHTEE) Survey
- Ultracompact jets in AGN
- Reconciling PTA and JWST and preparing for LISA with POMPOCO: a Parametrisation Of the Massive black hole POpulation for Comparison to Observations
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