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Black Holes May Quietly Grow Alongside Galaxies

4:13 PM ETConfirmed

Science Desk

In Short: According to Zhu's research, the black holes at the centers of these galaxies are not just consuming material but are actively reshaping their surroundings.

A study by Harvard Center for Astrophysics graduate student Peixin Zhu, using the Very Large Telescope in Chile, reveals that active galactic nuclei (AGN) in nine nearby Seyfert galaxies are associated with star formation.

The team differentiated sites of star formation from black hole radiation and excitation by shock fronts moving through the galaxy from the black hole through the interstellar medium.

They also found ionized cones of black-hole radiation extending away from the galactic cores, with fast shocks radiating out perpendicular to the cones.

These galaxies contain star-forming rings or arcs, as well as regions of energized gas and fast shock fronts associated with energetic outflows interacting with neighboring gas clouds.

The AGN-related activity could well be playing a role in the growth and evolution of galaxies.

The study focused on galaxies that have central supermassive black holes busily accreting material from nearby regions.

The colors represent star formation in red, black-hole radiation in blue, and shocks in yellow.

The nine galaxies studied lie within about 360 million light-years, and each has an active nucleus powered by the action of a supermassive black hole.

These galaxies are Type 2 Seyfert galaxies, which means they can appear bright in infrared light, their emission lines are often narrow, and the velocities of their gas outflows are not as fast as in other Seyfert galaxies.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• A study by Harvard Center for Astrophysics graduate student Peixin Zhu, using the Very Large Telescope in Chile, reveals that active galactic nuclei (AGN) in nine nearby Seyfert galaxies are associated with star formation.
• The team differentiated sites of star formation from black hole radiation and excitation by shock fronts moving through the galaxy from the black hole through the interstellar medium.
• They also found ionized cones of black-hole radiation extending away from the galactic cores, with fast shocks radiating out perpendicular to the cones.
• These galaxies contain star-forming rings or arcs, as well as regions of energized gas and fast shock fronts associated with energetic outflows interacting with neighboring gas clouds.
• The AGN-related activity could well be playing a role in the growth and evolution of galaxies.
• The study focused on galaxies that have central supermassive black holes busily accreting material from nearby regions.
• The colors represent star formation in red, black-hole radiation in blue, and shocks in yellow.
• The nine galaxies studied lie within about 360 million light-years, and each has an active nucleus powered by the action of a supermassive black hole.
• These galaxies are Type 2 Seyfert galaxies, which means they can appear bright in infrared light, their emission lines are often narrow, and the velocities of their gas outflows are not as fast as in other Seyfert galaxies.

What's still developing

• “We’re seeing that black holes are not just consuming material at the centers of galaxies, but they’re actively reshaping their surroundings,” said Lisa Kewley, an astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics | Harvard & Smithsonian, director of the Center, and Zhu’s advisor.
• The black holes at the hearts of galaxies get the credit and/or blame for a lot of things in their hosts.
• For example, they take the blame for gobbling up star-forming material, effectively "quenching" starbirth in some areas of galaxies.
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Sources

• Universe Todaylink
• Deadlinelink
• Eonlinelink
• Thesourcelink
• Warpbeatlink
• Quanta Magazinelink
• NASAlink
• Contactmusiclink
• Cosmicbooklink
• T2Onlinelink
• Universe Todaylink
• Darkhorizonslink
• Al Jazeeralink
• WarpBeat — background on Study Reveals Black Holes May Promote Star Formation link
• WarpBeat — background on Black Holes May Promote Star Formation, Study Shows link
• wealth path — video link