Related grants:
General
The group has two main research lines. First, the study of quasar-driven outflows in luminous and nearby obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) and the impact that they have on their massive host galaxies (AGN feedback). As part of this project, QSOFEED (Quasar Feedback), we have obtained Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) infrared and optical observations with the instruments CanariCam, EMIR and MEGARA, mid-infrared observations with the James Webb Space Telescope, millimeter data with ALMA and radio data with VLA. Part of this project has been done within the framework of the H2020 Innovative Training Network BID4BESt, and since 2024 within the Twinning action ExGal-Twin. The group is also devoted to obtaining and exploiting observing time with the JWST and ALMA as part of the GATOS collaboration (Galactic Activity, Torus and Outflow Survey) with the aim of characterizing nuclear obscuration and the gas flow cycle in local AGN. Second, the application of integral field spectroscopy to the study of extended objects (active and star forming galaxies) to investigate the triggering of both phenomena. We also contribute to the development of new instruments and data analysis procedures related to 3D observing techniques. In particular, we participate in the development of HARMONI, the first-generation high-spatial resolution integral field spectrograph for the ESO Extremely Large Telescope.
Members
Results
- The total budget awarded to this project through external funding sources totals 2.370.500 euros. This only includes projects starting in or after 2020. In 2025 Marina Bianchin started her contract as Juan de La Cierva.
- Publication of four works from the QSOFEED project (Audibert et al. 2025; Holden et al. 2025; Ramos Almeida et el 2025; Zanchettin et al. 2025). The goal is to understand and quantify the impact of AGN feedback on galaxies.
- The QSOFEED project was awarded time with ALMA in Cycle 12, with VLA and with GTC/MEGARA (PI: A. Audibert). The GATOS collaboration obtained three successful JWST proposals in cycle 4 (7195, 7429 and 7802).
- As part of the GATOS collaboration, ten papers have been published, with from one to three members as co-authors. The GATOS annual meeting was held at the IAC headquarters in May 2025.
- The collaboration with the AGN group at the Kavli Institute for Cosmology at the University of Cambridge has been consolidated through the publication of papers (Ramos Almeida et al. 2025; Ji et al. 2026) and the award of observing time with GTC and VLT.
- The project scope review was completed, after which ESO’s STC confirmed unanimous and very positive support for the new HARMONI, enabling progress toward the completion of its technical design. In addition, this year A. de Lorenzo- Cáceres joined the HARMONI PMO as Deputy Project Scientist.
