graduate

Interpreting the relation between star-formation rates and AGN luminosities

TYPEAstrophysics Seminar
Speaker:Dr. Eyal Neistein
Affiliation:Max-Planck-Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics, Garching
Date:05.12.2012
Time:14:30
Location:Lidow 620
Abstract:The interplay between active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and their host galaxies provides
important clues for the physics of both AGNs and galaxies. Current observations
reveal a wealth of information regarding the morphology and star-formation rates
of galaxies that host AGNs. I will discuss the challenges and difficulties in interpreting
these observations, and will show evidence that semi-analytic models (SAMs) have
important benefits in studying various modes of AGN accretion. I will then present a
specific SAM that offers a simple interpretation to a wide range of observations. In
this model, AGNs are triggered by both minor and major merger events, with an
accretion that is proportional to the star-formation burst triggered by the merger.
I will further discuss various predictions of the model that could help in putting tighter
constraints on the growth modes of AGNs.