Supermassive Black Holes and Energetic Phenomena
Researchers
Supermassive Black Holes and Energetic Phenomena
Area 2 of the Centre for Astrophysics and Related Technologies is devoted to the study of supermassive black holes that inhabit the centres of galaxies and to energetic phenomena, such as the growth of black holes, the formation and evolution of neutron stars, and cosmic explosions such as supernovae and kilonovae.
To study these cosmic objects requires a multitude of telescopes, ranging from space telescopes capable of detecting X-rays and gamma rays, ground-based telescopes that monitor changes in brightness in visible and infrared light, and radio telescopes capable of seeing through dust and able to generate images such as the shadow of a black hole.
Research Topics
Active galactic Nuclei
Active galactic nuclei are the most luminous objects in the Universe, home to supermassive black holes. To understand the growth of these cosmic giants, we employ a wide range of telescopes, from submillimetre to X-ray telescopes, allowing us to investigate everything from the immediate surroundings of a black hole, including its accretion disc, to its impact on its host galaxies. Our research aims to elucidate how these black holes grow and self-regulate that growth, as well as to understand the processes that facilitate the merger of supermassive black holes during galaxy collisions. We also collaborate on international projects aimed at imaging the event horizons of these giants, using a global network of radio telescopes.
Gamma Ray Bursts
Gamma-ray bursts are the most luminous explosions in the universe. These explosions, which would be released during cataclysmic events such as supernovae, kilonovae or hypernovae, are potentially linked to the intense gravity generated by neutron stars or black holes. Through observations and theoretical analysis, we seek to unravel the origin of this intense radiation, which not only sheds light on the nature of the most compact and enigmatic objects in the cosmos, but also broadens our understanding of the fundamental forces and processes that occur under extreme conditions in the Universe.
