JWST CEERS NIRSpec Maps Show 12 High-z Galaxies with [OIII]/Hβ Offsets Indicating Wandering Black Holes

The study extracts 2D spectra for key lines including [OIII]λ5007, Hβ, and [NeIII]λ3868 across the CEERS footprint. Spatial flux ratio profiles were constructed pixel-by-pixel, revealing localized ionization peaks decoupled from continuum centroids in 26 objects; 12 of these exhibit measurable offsets, with six exceeding 1.5 pixels. This technique isolates high-ionization signatures without relying on broad-line detection, directly testing predictions that asymmetric gas inflows displace seed black holes during early hierarchical assembly.

Existing LIGO/Virgo and EHT results constrain mature SMBHs but leave seeding channels unresolved. Theoretical work shows that direct-collapse seeds or stellar-remnant seeds both produce transient offsets after minor mergers; the observed 13% offset fraction aligns with hydrodynamical simulations where dynamical friction timescales exceed 100 Myr at z>4. The method therefore supplies an orthogonal constraint on seed mass functions that current luminosity-function studies cannot access.

Sample size remains modest and slitless spectroscopy introduces potential PSF blending. Deeper IFU follow-up on the six largest-offset candidates, combined with ALMA molecular-gas maps, would test whether inflows are kinematically misaligned and strengthen the wandering-AGN interpretation before larger Roman or Euclid grism surveys begin.

Future wide-field NIRSpec programs targeting 500+ galaxies at z=4-7 can measure redshift evolution of the offset fraction, distinguishing merger-driven displacement from in-situ fueling and thereby tightening limits on seed formation efficiency.