OPEN QUESTIONS IN AGN RESEARCH
1. Growth of Super Massive Black
Holes (SMBHs)
Due to mergers, accretion,
stellar captures?
Which most important?
2. SMBHs and Galaxy/LSS
formation:
Were BHs seeds or
by-products of galaxy formation?
How important is the
feedback from SMBH's in structure formation?
What is the role of
accreting BHs in the reionization of the Universe?
3. Jets in AGN
Are jets matter or
Poynting flux dominated?
Why are some
quasars radio-loud and some radio-quiet?
4. Accretion Physics:
Is our basic
cartoon of the central engine correct?
Is the
unified model viable? useful?
Have we
included the essential physics?
What role do
outflows play?
ASSIGNMENT FOR FRIDAY, Jan. 19:
Do you have anything to add to this list?
Pick topics for lectures.