An expanded Mbh-σ diagram, and a new calibration of active galactic nuclei masses

ABSTRACT We present an updated and improved Mbh–σ diagram containing 64 galaxies for which Mbh measurements (not just upper limits) are available. Because of new and increased black hole masses at the high‐mass end, and a better representation of barred galaxies at the low‐mass end, the ‘classical’ (all morphological type) Mbh–σ relation for predicting black hole masses is log (Mbh/M⊙) = (8.13 ± 0.05) + (5.13 ± 0.34)log [σ/200 km s−1], with an rms scatter of 0.43 dex. Modifying the regression analysis to correct for a hitherto overlooked sample bias in which black holes with masses