Speaker
Description
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) play a crucial role in the evolution of massive galaxies, but their fueling and feedback efficiency depend on the environment. In this talk, I will present a statistical study of the orientations of AGN jets and their optical counterpart in relation to the cosmic web environment, leveraging data from the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR). Using LOFAR Two-metre Sky Survey (LoTSS), DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, and the SDSS cosmic filament catalogue, we find that galaxy optical major axes tend to align with cosmic filaments, suggesting the growth of galaxies through mergers along filaments. On the other hand, AGN jets, typically perpendicular to the host galaxy’s major axis, show more randomized orientations in cosmic filament environments. This supports a scenario where black holes in filament galaxies experience chaotic accretion as a result of numerous mergers. I will discuss the implications of these results in terms of the large-scale alignment of radio jets, intrinsic alignment of galaxies, and anisotropic quenching of satellite galaxies. The SKA will enable deeper studies of AGN populations over a large cosmic volume covering a range of cosmic environments, revealing how the large-scale structure influences black hole growth and AGN feedback. This study highlights the potential of the SKA to further unravel the connection between AGN and the cosmic web.
