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

Información del proyecto

QuasarChronicles

Identificador del acuerdo de subvención: 885301

DOI

10.3030/885301

Fecha de la firma de la CE 8 Julio 2020

Fecha de inicio 1 Junio 2021

Fecha de finalización 31 Julio 2027

Financiado con arreglo a

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Coste total

€ 2 496 073,75

Aportación de la UE

€ 2 496 073,75

Coordinado por

UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN
Netherlands

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

Período documentado: 2024-06-01 hasta 2025-11-30

Resumen del contexto y de los objetivos generales del proyecto

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.

Trabajo realizado desde el comienzo del proyecto hasta el final del período abarcado por el informe y los principales resultados hasta la fecha

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.

Avances que van más allá del estado de la técnica e impacto potencial esperado (incluida la repercusión socioeconómica y las implicaciones sociales más amplias del proyecto hasta la fecha)

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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