FOCUS WEEK

Luminous quasars as laboratories for the formation

and evolution of SMBH/galaxy systems

IFPU, Trieste (Italy) June 9-13, 2025

News (14/06/2025)

Aims & Scope

The formation and evolution of SMBHs and their host galaxies is a complex, multi-scale phenomenon with many unsolved aspects especially in the first few billion years of the Universe. In this regard, the most luminous quasars powered by the most massive SMBH provide exceptional laboratories for the investigation of such processes.

Our small-scale meeting, with up to 20-25 researchers, foresees 5 days of scientific activities and aims to join the theoretical and observational side of the community in the field of formation and evolution of quasars and their host galaxies.

Scientific Program

The program addresses several research lines (RLs), approached from a multi-band perspective and through collaborative efforts between observational and theoretical scientists, with the goal of testing and refining current SMBH/host formation and evolutionary models. The proposed RLs are the following:

RL-1

The central engine, accretion & ejection

Credit: Tripodi et al. 2024 A&A 689 A220

RL-2

Host galaxies: ISM, CGM and environment in the ALMA & JWST era

Credit: Shin et al. 2019 ApJ 881 147

RL-3

Feeding & Feedback: connections between nuclear and host galaxy scales

Credit: Regan & Volonteri 2024 OJA 772

RL-4

Formation & evolution of SMBHs and Quasars: from the first Gyr to Cosmic Noon

Organizers

• M. Bischetti (Università di Trieste & IFPU, Italy)

• C. Feruglio (INAF-OATs & IFPU, Italy)

• E. Piconcelli (Co-Chair) (INAF-OAR, Italy)

• L. Zappacosta (Chair) (INAF-OAR, Italy)

Confirmed Invited Scientists (in progress)

S. Belladitta (Max Planck Institute for Astronomy, Heidelberg)
S. Carniani (Scuola Normale Superiore Pisa, Pisa)
T. Costa (Newcastle University, Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne)
S. Di Stefano (Univesità di Trieste)
V. D'Odorico (INAF-OATs & IFPU, Trieste)
E. P. Farina (GEMINI Observatory, Hilo)
F. Fiore (INAF-OATs & IFPU, Trieste)
F. Haardt (Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Como)
C. Harrison (Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne)
G. Lanzuisi (INAF - OAS, Bologna)
U. Maio (INAF-OATs, Trieste)
M. Perna (CAB/INTA-CSIC, Madrid)
D. Proga (University of Nevada, Las Vegas)
R. Valiante (INAF-OAR, Rome)
G. Vietri (INAF-IASF, Milano)
D. Wylezalek (University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg)
K. Zubovas (Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Vilnius)

Venue

The Institute for Fundamental Physics of the Universe (IFPU) is a joint initiative of the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA), the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) and the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN).

IFPU aims to host and promote a vigorous and innovative multi-disciplinary research program focussed on investigating the fundamental laws of Nature under a Cosmological and Astrophysical perspective.

The IFPU is located in Trieste in the Miramare campus, next to the ICTP.

Trieste is a historic port city located in northeastern Italy, on the Adriatic Sea, near the border with Slovenia. Known for its rich cultural mix, it has a unique blend of Italian, Slavic, and Austrian influences due to its history as part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The city boasts impressive architecture, such as the grand Piazza Unità d'Italia, one of Europe's largest seafront squares, and the neoclassical Miramare Castle overlooking the sea with its beautiful gardens.

Trieste is also famous for its coffee culture, with several historic cafés that reflect its cosmopolitan past. Despite its relatively small size, Trieste is known for its intellectual atmosphere, thriving arts scene, and unique position as a cultural crossroads in Europe. Trieste is also a gateway to the Karst Plateau, offering scenic landscapes and opportunities for outdoor activities.

Aerial view of the Miramare campus where the IFPU is located and the Miramare castle.

Piazza Unità d'Italia

Miramare castle

Canal Grande

Fountain of the Tritons

Karst cliffs near Trieste

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