Black Hole Growth and Star Formation in Active Galactic Nuclei
Summary
Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) represent the most luminous phase of galaxy evolution, powered by rapid accretion onto central supermassive black holes (SMBHs). Observations across the electromagnetic spectrum reveal that black hole growth and star formation frequently occur in tandem, yet the detailed interplay between these processes remains a frontier topic. Gas inflows from galactic scales feed the accretion disc, boosting the black hole mass and emitting copious radiation that can drive winds and jets. This feedback can heat or expel interstellar material, thereby regulating the formation of new stars. Conversely, cold gas reservoirs that sustain star formation may also channel material inward, fuelling the AGN. The correlation between SMBH mass and stellar bulge mass suggests a co-evolutionary scenario, wherein black hole accretion and stellar assembly proceed on related timescales. Untangling the variability of AGN luminosity, the distribution of host galaxy properties and the role of mergers versus secular processes is crucial to understanding the cosmic history of galaxy growth and the establishment of the local black hole mass density.
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Black Hole Growth and Star Formation in Active Galactic Nuclei publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in black hole growth and star formation in active galactic nuclei across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN): region at a galaxy’s centre where a supermassive black hole accretes matter, emitting radiation across the spectrum.
Eddington Ratio: the ratio of an AGN’s luminosity to the theoretical maximum (Eddington luminosity) at which radiation pressure balances gravitational attraction.
Star-Forming Main Sequence: tight correlation between stellar mass and star formation rate exhibited by the bulk of star-forming galaxies at a given epoch.
Specific Accretion Rate: the accretion luminosity normalised by host galaxy stellar mass, indicating relative black hole growth intensity.
References
- The co-evolution of supermassive black holes and galaxies in luminous AGN over a wide range of redshift. Astronomy & Astrophysics (2023).
- Investigating the Star Formation Rates of Active Galactic Nucleus Hosts Relative to the Star-forming Main Sequence. The Astrophysical Journal (2024).
- X-rays across the galaxy population – III. The incidence of AGN as a function of star formation rate. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society (2019).
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