RUI: A New Paradigm for AGN Obscuration: Observational Constraints for Dynamic Torus Models

这个项目将促进我们对超大质量黑洞在星系形成和演化中所起作用的理解。这将通过对超大质量黑洞周围区域的全面研究来实现，这些区域是在黑洞活跃生长的附近星系的大样本中进行的。观测将测量分子气体、电离气体和日冕气体的分布和运动，以及中心黑洞附近的恒星。这个星系样本将支持一个强有力的调查，即黑洞生长所需的物质流入，以及这种活动对星系其他部分的影响。该研究将包括至少六名本科生的实质性参与，并将为他们提供真实的研究经验，在教育经验中使用最先进的数据，为他们升入研究生院或就业做好准备。将特别注重从传统上代表性不足的群体中招收本科生。公众和青年团体也将参与天文馆展览，为安克雷奇终身学习者计划举办的为期数周的课程，以及在已建立的校园公共活动中提供的实践活动。虽然人们公认超大质量黑洞在星系的演化中起着至关重要的作用，但这些黑洞与其宿主星系之间关系的本质尚未确定。理论模型试图重现观测到的黑洞与宿主星系的相关性，但由于缺乏观测约束，这些模型必须对负责的物理过程做出广泛的假设。只有局部活动星系核（AGN）提供足够的空间分辨率来研究与AGN寿命时间尺度相关的核周区域。利用Keck/OSIRIS和VLT/SINFONI提供的自适应光学近红外积分场光谱数据，将在90个真实AGN样品的相关中心区域（中心500pc）内测量分子、电离和日冕气体以及恒星的分布和运动学。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This program will advance our understanding of the role supermassive black holes play in the formation and evolution of galaxies. This will be achieved through a comprehensive study of the regions surrounding supermassive black holes in a large sample of nearby galaxies with actively growing black holes. The observations will measure the distribution and motions of the molecular, ionized, and coronal gas, as well as that of the stars, within vicinity of the central black hole. This sample of galaxies will support a robust investigation of the inflow of materials feeding the black hole growth and the influence this activity has on the rest of the galaxy. The research will include substantial involvement by at least six undergraduate students and will provide them an authentic research experience working with state-of-the-art data in an educational experience that will prepare them for advancement to graduate school or workforce placement. A particular focus will be placed on recruiting undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented groups. The general public and youth groups will also be engaged during planetarium shows, multiweek courses held for an Anchorage lifelong learners program, and through hands-on activities to be offered during established campus public events. While it is acknowledged that supermassive black holes play a fundamental role in the evolution of galaxies, the nature of the relationship between these black holes and their host galaxies has yet to be established. Theoretical models attempt to reproduce the observed black hole-host galaxy correlations, but due to a lack of observational constraints these models must make broad assumptions about the physical processes responsible. Only local active galactic nuclei (AGN) offer adequate spatial resolution to investigate the circumnuclear regions relevant to the time scales of the AGN lifetime. The distribution and kinematics of the molecular, ionized, and coronal gas, as well as that of the stars will be measured within the relevant central region (central 500pc) in a sample of 90 bona fide AGN with adaptive optics near-infrared integral-field spectroscopic data available from Keck/OSIRIS and VLT/SINFONI.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.