Supermassive Black Holes, Feedback and Galaxy Evolution
The IAU Commission X1 is a Cross-Division D-J initiative with the primary goal of promoting the development of research on supermassive black holes (SMBHs), active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and star formation feedback, as well as their role in galaxy evolution.
Through this commission, we aim to foster interaction between theorists and observers across the electromagnetic spectrum to investigate the interplay between the growth of SMBHs and galaxies, including the effects of their environment.
We aim to bridge the studies on feedback from the “galaxy evolution" community, which primarily focuses mostly on the role of star formation, and the “AGN" community, which concentrates on feedback from the environments of the nuclear SMBH, in order to advance our understanding of galaxy evolution.
We welcome input from the community to enhance our initiatives and collaborations. Please share your feedback by completing this form
NASA's Hubble, Chandra Spot Rare Type of Black Hole Eating a Star"
NASA’s Hubble and Chandra telescopes have identified a tantalizing candidate for an intermediate‑mass black hole, named NGC 6099 HLX‑1, located roughly 450 million light‑years away. The object appears to be tearing apart a passing star (a tidal disruption event), producing intense X-rays and optical light that signal the rare feeding behavior of this cosmic middle‑weight black hole.
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NASA Webb 'Pierces' Bullet Cluster, Refines Its Mass"
A stunning new image of the Bullet Cluster, combining data from NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory and the James Webb Space Telescope, reveals a detailed view of the separation between hot gas, dark matter, and galaxies. This visualization offers new insights into the cluster’s mass distribution and strengthens constraints on the behavior of dark matter during cosmic collisions.
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Multi-phase, Multi-temperature and Complex
Multi-phase, Multi-temperature and Complex delves into the evolution of galaxy clusters and groups through their interaction with the surrounding medium, with a focus on X-ray and SZ data probing the hot phase of the elusive intra-group and circum-galactic medium in low-mass halos. The workshop will also highlight the multiphase nature of the CGM and the critical role of the central galaxy.
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Massive Black Holes across Cosmic Time
Massive Black Holes across Cosmic Time brings together observers and theorists to explore the formation, growth, and impact of massive black holes across cosmic time, with a focus on new insights from JWST and multiwavelength data. Key topics include black hole demographics, mass measurements, feedback mechanisms, and the role of accretion in shaping galaxy evolution.
Learn moreDeep Chandra observations of PLCKG287.0+32.9: A clear detection of a shock front in a heated former cool core
Gitti M., Bonafede A., Brighenti F. et al., A&A, 697, A72, 2025
JWST meets Chandra: a large population of Compton thick, feedback-free, and intrinsically X-ray weak AGN, with a sprinkle of SNe
Maiolino R., Risaliti G., Signorini M. et al., MNRAS, 538, 3, 2025