Galaxy Formation and Mergers with Stars and Massive Black HolesStanford University, 2011 While mounting observational evidence suggests the coevolution of galaxies and their embedded massive black holes (MBHs), a comprehensive astrophysical understanding which incorporates both galaxies and MBHs has been missing. To tackle the nonlinear processes of galaxy formation, we develop a state-of-the-art numerical framework which self-consistently models the interplay between galactic components: dark matter, gas, stars, and MBHs. Utilizing this physically motivated tool, we present an investigation of a massive star-forming galaxy hosting a slowly growing MBH in a cosmological LCDM simulation. The MBH feedback heats the surrounding gas and locally suppresses star formation in the galactic inner core. In simulations of merging galaxies, the high-resolution adaptive mesh allows us to observe widespread starbursts via shock-induced star formation, and the interplay between the galaxies and their embedding medium. Fast growing MBHs in merging galaxies drive more frequent and powerful jets creating sizable bubbles at the galactic centers. We conclude that the interaction between the interstellar gas, stars and MBHs is critical in understanding the star formation history, black hole accretion history, and cosmological evolution of galaxies. Expanding upon our extensive experience in galactic simulations, we are well poised to apply this tool to other challenging, yet highly rewarding tasks in contemporary astrophysics, such as high-redshift quasar formation. |
Common terms and phrases
Abel accretion rate ACDM Adaptive Mesh Refinement ArXiv ArXiv e-prints astrophysical baryonic black hole masses Bondi cell computational cooling dark matter halo dynamical embedded MBH energy Enzo evolution fast growing MBHs first formation and feedback galactic center galactic disk galactic halo galaxies and MBHs galaxy formation galaxy mergers gas density gas mass GM-RMF gravitational grid heating Hernquist high-redshift quasars high-resolution hydrodynamics initial condition interaction interstellar medium ionization Jeans length kpc sphere magnetic fields Marcelo Alvarez massive black holes MBH feedback mechanical feedback merging galaxies MNRAS molecular cloud formation molecular cloud particle multiphase Ostriker outflows photoionization photons physics quasars radiation radiative feedback radius redshift refined resolution resolved self-consistent Sim-RMF Sim-SF smoothed particle hydrodynamics Springel star formation star formation rate star-forming starburst stellar feedback stellar mass structure formation supermassive black holes supernova suppresses star formation temperature Teyssier velocity