Black Holes versus Galaxies

Fri., Oct. 21, 2016 3:00 p.m. - Fri., Oct. 21, 2016 4:00 p.m.

Location: CL 130

Abstract: Supermassive black holes seem likely to supply energy to their galactic scale environments which can modulate the process of star formation and determine the shape of the galaxy luminosity function. In addition, supermassive black holes seem to supply energy to the hot X-ray emitting Intracluster Medium (ICM) of clusters of galaxies. The black hole replenishes energy lost from the gas due to radiation and influences the properties of the ICM as well as those of the centrally located massive Brightest Cluster Galaxy. I discuss the role of supermassive black holes in galaxy formation and evolution and in the intracluster medium of clusters of galaxies. I present multi-wavelength observations (Chandra, Hubble Space Telescope, ALMA, VLA) of the interaction of extended radio sources (produced by the central black holes) with their environments.

Speaker: Christopher O’Dea is a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at University of Manitoba. He has previously worked at the Rochester Institute of Technology and the Space Telescope Science Institute. He obtained a BS in Physics from MIT and a PhD in Astronomy from University of Massachusetts. He has authored over 200 refereed articles. He is an expert on observational aspects of supermassive black holes and their interactions with their environments.