Speaker
Description
Binary and dual massive black holes (MBHs) are a natural outcome of galaxy mergers. Systems in which both black holes are active (dual and binary active galactic nuclei, AGN) provide a unique opportunity to study the dynamical evolution of merging galaxies, the triggering of accretion, and the processes that lead to the formation of gravitational-wave (GW) emitting MBH binaries.
In this talk I will summarise the current observational status of dual and binary AGN across a wide range of spatial scales, from kpc-scale dual systems to pc-scale binaries. I will discuss the main observational techniques used to identify candidates, including high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy, radio interferometry, and time-domain variability analyses, highlighting the strengths and limitations of each method.
I will outline the prospects for future discoveries with upcoming time-domain surveys and high-resolution facilities, and I will discuss the implications of binary AGN studies for current and future low-frequency GW experiments, such as PTAs, LISA, and LGWA.