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

Informations projet

QuasarChronicles

N° de convention de subvention: 885301

DOI

10.3030/885301

Date de signature de la CE 8 Juillet 2020

Date de début 1 Juin 2021

Date de fin 31 Juillet 2027

Financé au titre de

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)

Coût total

€ 2 496 073,75

Contribution de l’UE

€ 2 496 073,75

Coordonné par

UNIVERSITEIT LEIDEN
Netherlands

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

Période du rapport: 2024-06-01 au 2025-11-30

Résumé du contexte et des objectifs généraux du projet

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.

Travail effectué depuis le début du projet jusqu’à la fin de la période considérée dans le rapport et principaux résultats atteints jusqu’à présent

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.

Progrès au-delà de l’état des connaissances et impact potentiel prévu (y compris l’impact socio-économique et les conséquences sociétales plus larges du projet jusqu’à présent)

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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