Andrew C. Fabian

University of Cambridge, Institute of Astronomy

Research field

X-ray astronomy, galaxy clusters and active galactic nuclei

Andrew Fabian's 2012 review assembles the observational evidence that active nuclei act back on their surroundings. X-ray images of galaxy clusters show bubbles blown by jets into the hot gas, and the energy they carry heats the gas and holds back its cooling and star formation. The unit uses this evidence to explain why black hole and galaxy masses are linked and why giant elliptical galaxies stopped forming stars.

In the masterclass

Section 6.1 on mergers and feedback closes with his evidence for the quasar mode and the radio mode of feedback.

The research is presented in Unit 12: Active Galaxies and Supermassive Black Holes, in a research spotlight box that explains the result at the level of the unit and links it to the physics you have just learned.

The paper

Observational Evidence of Active Galactic Nuclei Feedback