The Maturing of Galaxies by Feedback from Jets

• Applicant: Dr. Sadegh Khochfar
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2009 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 126975201

In this project, we propose the detailed examination of feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGN) by jets on the formation and evolution of galaxies. The two opposing, but both possible, effects of cooling and heating by AGN feedback and associated enhancement and suppression of star formation, have been put forward to explain the regulation of the stellar mass build up in galaxies hosting super-massive black holes (SMBH). So far the modeling in a galaxy evolution context has been done in a simplified way neglecting the underlying jet physics and reducing it to a thermal energy release in the galaxy. With our expertise in both galaxy formation and (magneto)-hydrodynamic jet simulations, we will combine cosmological SPH-simulations with grid-based jet simulations at high resolution and explore the interaction of the jet with the environment in great detail to put these effects on a quantitatively sound basis. The main advantage of our approach is that we will not only be able to simulate self-consistently how the jet effects the environment on galactic and larger scale, but how physical processes like e.g. cold streams of gas coming from large scales effect the environment close to the AGN. We will be able to answer question as to when star formation was enhanced, when the main suppression set in, and how the growth of SMBH took place during those episodes.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1177: Witnesses of Cosmic History: Formation and Evolution of Black Holes, Galaxies and Their Environments
• Participating Person: Dr. Martin Krause