Project description
Active black holes and first generation stars
In theory, population III are the first generation of stars potentially responsible for enriching the universe with heavy elements, which led to the formation of early galaxies. During this time, the seeds of supermassive black holes also formed at the centre of galaxies. Observing these early cosmic phenomena has challenged astronomers until now. Leveraging the advanced infrared spectrograph capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope, the ERC-funded APEX project aims to locate and define the characteristics of population III stars and early active black holes (active galactic nuclei). By determining the physical properties of early galaxies during their evolution, it will compare data to simulations and help to improve models of the early universe.
Objective
The first stars must have started the generation of heavy elements and the formation of the first galaxies in the earliest phases of the Universe. At the same epoch, the seeds of the supermassive black holes which are detected in the centres of all nearby massive galaxies, including our own Milky Way, must have formed. While theoretically predicted, the detection of these first stars and seed black holes is an outstanding observational challenge in modern astronomy. With the proposed APEX project, I will capitalise on two game-changing capabilities of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to deliver upon this challenge: (i) the coverage of previously inaccessible wavelengths, and (ii) the power to spectrally and spatially resolve early galaxies and, crucially, their surroundings with the integral-field unit spectrograph NIRSpec. This is decisive to single out the locations of the first stars and black holes through their distinct spectral signatures. With guaranteed JWST observations and the largest approved open-time programme to map galaxy spectra during the first billion years of cosmic time, the APEX team will: 1) search for and characterise the very first stars (Population III) that illuminate the Universe; 2) identify early black holes and measure the masses of active galactic nuclei to constrain supermassive black hole growth; 3) derive the physical properties of the earliest galaxies and study the role of the first stars and black holes in their evolution; 4) accurately compare our data to simulations to significantly improve models of the early Universe. Building on these novel and cutting-edge data and my extensive expertise in integral-field observations, the APEX project comes at the right time to enable a major leap forward in our understanding of the early Universe.
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.
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Keywords
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.
Funding Scheme
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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.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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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-2024-STG
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80539 MUNCHEN
Germany
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