A Good Hard Look at Growing Supermassive Black Holes in the Distant Universe
Abstract
Sensitive cosmic X-ray surveys with the Chandra, XMM-Newton, and now NuSTAR observatories have revolutionized our ability to find and study distant active galactic nuclei (AGNs), the main sites of supermassive black hole growth in the Universe. I will describe some of the resulting discoveries about the demographics, physics, and ecology of distant AGNs with an emphasis on the deepest Chandra surveys, the Chandra Deep Fields. Some specific topics covered will include (1) robust X-ray spectral and variability characterization of the AGNs producing most of cosmic accretion power; (2) the demographics of AGNs in the first galaxies as revealed by direct detection and stacking; (3) AGN/galaxy interactions as investigated via the host properties of X-ray AGNs; and (4) the cosmic balance of power between supermassive black holes and stars. I will also briefly describe other remarkable discoveries coming from the deepest X-ray surveys; e.g., measurements of the evolving X-ray binary populations of normal and starburst galaxies. I will end by discussing some key outstanding questions and new observations and missions aiming to answer them.
- Publication:
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American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #229
- Pub Date:
- January 2017
- Bibcode:
- 2017AAS...22923501B