Quasars in a Neutral Universe: Chronicling the History of Reionization, Enrichment, and Black Hole Growth

Project Information

QuasarChronicles

Grant agreement ID: 885301

DOI

10.3030/885301

EC signature date 8 July 2020

Start date 1 June 2021

End date 31 July 2027

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Total cost

€ 2 496 073,75

EU contribution

€ 2 496 073,75

Coordinated by

UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN
Netherlands

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - QuasarChronicles (Quasars in a Neutral Universe: Chronicling the History of Reionization, Enrichment, and Black Hole Growth)

Reporting period: 2024-06-01 to 2025-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The first sources of light formed several hundred million years after the Big Bang, ending what astronomers refer to as the cosmic dark ages. The earliest supermassive black holes play a key role in deciphering this poorly understood epoch of our Universe's history. First, they are bright beacons in the young Universe that are easily observed at cosmological distances with existing telescopes. Second, studying the first generation of supermassive black holes could provide a Rosetta stone for understanding how black holes form and grow. The study of this poorly understood period of our Universe's history and the formation of supermassive black holes are key science questions that are especially ripe for investigation. This is because emerging capabilities and techniques offer great promise for major advances. This project will obtain new constraints on the first sources of light and the earliest supermassive black holes by applying novel statistical methods to astronomical data collected with the world's largest telescopes. These data will be compared to state-of-the-art supercomputer calculations to yield new insights into cosmic history. This project will support the research of PhD students, postdocs, and master and undergraduate students in cutting edge astronomical research.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Thus far this project has resulted in the development of new methods that address the fundamental questions touched upon above. Namely, new methods for constraining the reionization epoch have been developed. Studies have been published that aim to place the growth of supermassive black holes in a cosmological context, and new methodology for measuring the buildup of heavy elements in the vast expanse of intergalactic space have been developed.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

Multiple scientific deliverables that represent progress beyond the state-of-the-art have been published in high impact peer reviewed journals and presented at international conferences.

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