FLF Grant

Resolving How Black Holes Influence Galaxy Evolution

Starting from March 2022, Chris holds a UKRI grant (Future Leaders Fellowship), initially for four years but with possibility for an extension for another three years. This grant covers funding for three post-doctoral research associate (PDRA) positions to join the team. The project will take a multi-faceted approach to tackling the question of the role of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in galaxy evolution, combining detailed multi-wavelength observations with large spectroscopic samples and using galaxy simulations to make observational predictions.

The Research and PDRA Positions

Left: Hydro-simulation snapshot from an AGN wind model inside a disk galaxy (Costa+20); Right: multi-phase observations from the Quasar Feedback Survey (Harrison+15; Jarvis+19; Lansbury+18)

Hydrodynamic simulations of AGN feedback: One key goal of the project is to utilise cutting-edge simulations to make observational predictions of the drivers and impact of AGN feedback. For example on the spatially-resolved properties of multi-phase outflows and on the impact on the star formation and gas content of the host galaxies. These would work in collaboration with the observations made as part of this wider project. One PDRA will lead this part of the project, developing simulations to make observational predictions of AGN outflows, working alongside Tiago Costa (who joins Newcastle in 2023). This will likely include working on codes RAMSES and/or Arepo. One additional possibility would be to work in collaboration with Anvar Shukurov at Newcastle, and exploring winds in Magneto-hydrodynamic interstellar medium simulations. Other approaches are also welcome to be discussed depending on the interest and skills of the successful applicant.

(Image is an artists impression from: ESA article based on Harrison et al. 2012b)

Multi-wavelength observations of AGN feedback: Ann Njeri, is the appointed PDRA who leads this part of the project, using detailed multi-wavelength observations to understand how AGN drive outflows and interact with their host galaxies. This includes work as part of Chris's Quasar Feedback Survey which is a multi-wavelength survey of z~0.1 quasars, looking at the multi-phase outflows and role of radio jets versus winds. For example, extensive radio data is available to be investigated (e.g., from eMERLIN, GMRT and VLA) and Ann is working on these data and other radio data (e.g., from LOFAR). Other data products available come from MUSE, APEX and ALMA. These provide multi-wavelength measurements of the properties of AGN-driven outflows and the impact of the AGN on their host galaxies. Beyond the local Universe, the project is also in collaboration with the SUPER consortium and a JWST Cycle 1 programme (with PI: Mainieri) to study multi-phase outflows in z~2 AGN host galaxies. The observations will form the basis for testing theoretical predictions and results from the simulations (see below).

MOONS Support and Related Science: MOONS is a next generation near infrared multi-object spectrograph that will be operating on the VLT from 2023/2024 onwards. Obtaining 1000 spectra simultaneously and with unprecedented sensitivity, this instrument will provide a revolution in near-infrared spectroscopy of distant galaxies. Vicky Fawcett, is the PDRA who leads this part of the project. She is now a member MOONS extragalactic consortium, obtaining access to the data products. She spends roughly half of her time performing support for the MOONS spectrograph and the other half performing science related to the project. Vicky supports MOONS infrastructure, for example helping to develop software for data reduction and/or supporting tools for public-facing data access. Her science time is devoted to understanding the global AGN population across cosmic time. This helps provide a population and evolutionary context for the more detailed multi-wavelength studies and simulations described above.

Other Benefits and Opportunities

Wider Collaborators: The project has further collaborators, beyond the project partners. For example, the PDRAs are invited to join the Newcastle-Durham Accretion Alliance. This is a collaboration of people across Newcastle University and Durham University interested in AGN and accretion. The simulation focussed PDRA will join an exciting new collaboration between Newcastle and the Kavli Institute for Cosmology in Cambridge. Specifically to Newcastle, David Rosario, has similar interests and is the PI a related Cycle 1 JWST programme and Anvar Shukurov is a leader in developing MHD simulations of the ISM. Beyond this, there are collaborations with simulators producing AGN+ISM simulations: e.g., Dipanjan Mukherjee (IUCAA) and collaborations with observers across the world, e.g., through the Quasar Feedback Survey and SUPER projects.

Project Partners: The project is in official collaboration with three main project partners. The team would be encouraged to work with these partners and increase their network. These are: (1) The European Southern Observatory (for MOONS work and shared PhD students); (2) Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI), specifically the MAST team, in regards to sharing information about archiving data and working towards using sonification as a standard analysis tool for large datasets and (3) VIEWS group Newcastle (a community group for people with a vision impairment), in regards to working with us to achieve our goal of making Astronomy research and education more accessible.

Training: We are committed to providing cross-career training for the PDRAs. For example, the PDRAs would be invited to attend modules from Newcastle's MSc Data Science course and we would assist in finding other industry-standard training (e.g., through the Alan Turing Institute). Wider cross-sector skills training would also be encouraged and supported: e.g., in leadership/management and in developing societal and commercial impact.

Outreach and EDI: Chris and the wider group at Newcastle are passionate about open, accessible and inclusive science. The project includes developing accessible methods to access data, in particular using sonification, building on recent work by Chris and his wider collaborators. Further time and resources are available for outreach activities, for example, related to increasing awareness of the Extremely Large Telescope in the UK. and developing educational resources for blind and vision impaired children. Members of the team would be encouraged to spend time on this valuable work and other activities related to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI).

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