Which came first: supermassive black holes or galaxies? Insights from JWST

Which came first: supermassive black holes or galaxies? Insights from JWST

January 8, 2024 | JOSEPH SILK, MITCHELL C. BEGELMAN, COLIN NORMAN, ADI NUSSER, ROSEMARY F. G. WYSE
JWST observations suggest that AGN feedback evolved from a short-lived, high-redshift phase with radiatively cooled turbulence and momentum-conserving outflows, stimulating early star formation ("positive" feedback), to late, energy-conserving outflows that depleted halo gas and quenched star formation. The transition between these regimes occurred at z ~ 6, independent of galaxy mass. Observational evidence supports the prevalence of massive black holes at high redshifts, with their origins discussed. Galaxies at high redshift with sufficient cooling to be in the positive feedback stage have obscured AGN. Their compactness is key, as cooling times in AGN-shocked gas are significantly reduced, leading to shock-boosted star formation. At later times, cooling is ineffective, and energy-conserving winds drive gas outflows, leading to negative feedback. The high-redshift SMBH-containing galaxy population is ultracompact, leading to rapid cooling and triggering star formation through positive feedback. This transitions to negative feedback at lower z as cooling becomes inefficient. The transition redshift is estimated at ~6, consistent with observational constraints. The coevolution of galaxies and SMBHs is highlighted, with positive feedback driving early star formation and negative feedback quenching it. Observational predictions suggest that AGN feedback mechanisms are crucial for understanding galaxy evolution. The study also discusses the formation of massive black hole seeds, including supermassive stars, primordial black holes, and other mechanisms. The results suggest that SMBHs may form before significant star formation, with AGN feedback playing a key role in galaxy evolution. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the interplay between AGN activity and star formation, and the need for further observational and theoretical work to clarify the coevolution of galaxies and SMBHs.JWST observations suggest that AGN feedback evolved from a short-lived, high-redshift phase with radiatively cooled turbulence and momentum-conserving outflows, stimulating early star formation ("positive" feedback), to late, energy-conserving outflows that depleted halo gas and quenched star formation. The transition between these regimes occurred at z ~ 6, independent of galaxy mass. Observational evidence supports the prevalence of massive black holes at high redshifts, with their origins discussed. Galaxies at high redshift with sufficient cooling to be in the positive feedback stage have obscured AGN. Their compactness is key, as cooling times in AGN-shocked gas are significantly reduced, leading to shock-boosted star formation. At later times, cooling is ineffective, and energy-conserving winds drive gas outflows, leading to negative feedback. The high-redshift SMBH-containing galaxy population is ultracompact, leading to rapid cooling and triggering star formation through positive feedback. This transitions to negative feedback at lower z as cooling becomes inefficient. The transition redshift is estimated at ~6, consistent with observational constraints. The coevolution of galaxies and SMBHs is highlighted, with positive feedback driving early star formation and negative feedback quenching it. Observational predictions suggest that AGN feedback mechanisms are crucial for understanding galaxy evolution. The study also discusses the formation of massive black hole seeds, including supermassive stars, primordial black holes, and other mechanisms. The results suggest that SMBHs may form before significant star formation, with AGN feedback playing a key role in galaxy evolution. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the interplay between AGN activity and star formation, and the need for further observational and theoretical work to clarify the coevolution of galaxies and SMBHs.
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