Witnessing Galaxy-SMBH Co-Evolution at Redshift ~ 2

TL;DR

This paper discusses the co-evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes at redshift ~2, highlighting the significant fraction of galaxies hosting active galactic nuclei and exploring implications for galaxy growth and AGN feedback during peak cosmic activity.

Contribution

It presents observational evidence linking mid-infrared excess galaxies at z~2 to Compton-thick AGNs, advancing understanding of galaxy and black hole co-evolution during peak star formation.

Findings

Approximately one-third of z~2 galaxies host AGNs.

Mid-IR excess correlates with Compton-thick AGN presence.

Implications for galaxy growth and AGN feedback mechanisms.

Abstract

In a recent multiwavelength study of galaxies at redshift ~ 2 by Daddi et al. (2007a,b) it is shown that galaxies with a Mid-IR excess most likely harbor a Compton-thick AGN, thus bringing to about 1/3 the fraction of z ~ 2 galaxies hosting an AGN. This finding opens a number of intriguing issues concerning the concomitant growth of galaxies and supermassive black holes, AGN feedback, and downsizing, at the cosmic epoch of most intense star formation and nuclear activity.