ABSTRACT

The evolution of supermassive black holes and galaxies are apparently inextricably linked, and we might hope to gain unique insight into the nature of the connection by studying galaxies with currently accreting black holes. The study of active host galaxies has a long history; I focus here on three innovative experiments that exploit both the recent availability of large spectroscopic surveys such as the SDSS and improved techniques to estimate black hole masses in active galactic nuclei (AGNs). The first uses HI observations of local AGNs to measure their neutral gas fractions, dynamical masses, and disturbance levels. The second studies the host galaxies of local obscured AGNs. Because the accretion disk is hidden, it is possible to look for direct evidence of AGN-induced disturbance in the hosts of these intrinsically very luminous systems. Finally, I examine the host galaxies of AGNs selected to have the lowest black hole masses known, a regime in which black hole-bulge relations appear to break down. I discuss the implications for AGN fueling and feedback, and the possibility of observing continuing evolution in the relations between black hole mass and bulge properties at the present epoch.