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Black holes, cooling flows and galaxy formation
1Institute for Astronomy, University of Edinburgh, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, UK. jap@roe.ac.uk
Summary
Central black holes are common in galaxies and crucial for structure formation. Feedback from active galactic nuclei may regulate galaxy cooling, solving issues in current galaxy formation models.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- Cosmology
- Galaxy Formation
Background:
- Central black holes are ubiquitous in galaxies, impacting cosmological structure formation theories.
- Existing galaxy formation models struggle with excessive cooling and overproduction of stars.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the role of active galactic nuclei (AGN) feedback in regulating galaxy cooling flows.
- Explore how black hole-galaxy mass proportionality is maintained during halo mergers.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical modeling of galaxy and cluster-scale cooling flows.
- Analysis of observational data related to X-ray emissions and radio lobes.
Main Results:
- AGN feedback is proposed as a mechanism to regulate galaxy-scale cooling.
- Sound wave dissipation from radio lobes may balance energy loss in cluster cooling flows.
Conclusions:
- Active galactic nuclei feedback is a potential solution to overcooling problems in galaxy formation models.
- Observed processes in cluster cooling flows support the role of AGN feedback in regulating gas accretion.