Why Are the Most Massive Black Holes Always Radio-Loud?

Project area/S

• Black Holes

Project Details

Simulated image of the accretion disk of a super-massive black hole from the team which produced the black hole images in the film Interstellar (Oliver James et al 2015 Class. Quantum Grav. 32 065001)

There is now growing evidence that all of the most massive galaxies are producing radio jets from their central black holes. In particular, a recent result found that all of the most massive ellipticals in the very nearby Universe are detected in new radio observations from the Australian SKA Pathfinder. In order to better understand this result we need to accurately model the jet power and determine the accretion rate onto the central black hole.

This project will process follow-up radio observations of these local ellipticals and combine it with literature radio data to produce accurate observations of the broad-band radio emission. A key goal will be to confirm whether the radio emission is coming from the central black hole or if it is contaminated by other sources. Modelling of this radio emission can be used to determine the black hole jet powers.

Examination of literature optical spectroscopy as well as potentially new spectroscopy will constrain the accretion rate of these black holes. These data will be compared to models relating jet power to black hole mass and accretion rate in order to identify what is causing the range of jet powers observed. This work will help us understand why black holes produce radio jets.

Student Attributes

Academic Background

Some astrophysics preferred, but a general physics background essential

Computing Skills

Reasonable skills in Python or a similar computing language required
or the ability and confidence to develop them quickly.

Training Requirement

Some python development preferred.

Project Timeline