Project description
Study explores particle generation mechanisms in active galactic nuclei
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are among the universe’s most powerful particle accelerators, converting gravitational energy from matter accreted by supermassive black holes into electromagnetic and kinetic energy. This produces highly relativistic electrons and protons, although the mechanisms remain unclear. Investigating these particles is crucial as they probe regimes beyond Earth-based particle accelerators. The detection of a high-energy neutrino signal from a blazar by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory has opened new opportunities for AGN studies. Funded by the European Research Council, the MuSES project aims to explore proton acceleration, jet formation, jet collimation and neutrino production in AGN. To this end, researchers will use electromagnetic spectrum observations, particularly very-long-baseline interferometry, and high-energy neutrino telescope data.
Objective
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are among the most powerful particle accelerators in the Universe. They convert the gravitational energy of matter accreted by supermassive black holes (SMBHs) into electromagnetic and kinetic energy, producing highly relativistic electrons and protons. They are most likely originated from the vicinity of SMBHs, but the exact mechanism of their production remains elusive. Electrons are predominantly found in jets, whose acceleration and collimation are still poorly understood. Even less clear is how and where protons are accelerated and how this process is connected to neutrino production. The importance of investigating such high-energy particles transcends astrophysics, as they probe regimes that particle accelerators on Earth will likely never reach.
The recent detection of a high-energy neutrino signal from the blazar TXS 0506+056 by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory has brought up new multi-messenger opportunities for AGN studies which can be now most efficiently explored. This proposal sets its main aim on carrying out such an exploration and addressing the pivotal questions about proton acceleration, jet formation and collimation, and neutrino production in AGN. To achieve these goals, we will perform and utilize observations of AGN across the electromagnetic spectrum, with a particular focus on high-resolution very-long-baseline interferometry and data collected by high-energy neutrino telescopes.
The information and insight gathered through these investigations will provide the most accurate clues about the extreme energy output in AGN and transform these objects into well-understood cosmic laboratories which can probe physical conditions unachievable in any experiments performed on Earth.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics neutrinos
- natural sciences physical sciences astronomy astrophysics
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
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Call for proposal
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Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-ADG
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80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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