Quantifying the effect of black hole feedback from the central galaxy on the satellite populations of groups and clusters

TL;DR

This paper investigates how feedback from supermassive black holes in central galaxies influences satellite galaxy populations and the intragroup and intracluster medium in galaxy groups and clusters, highlighting the role of black hole mass in galaxy quenching.

Contribution

It provides observational evidence linking black hole feedback to increased quenching and heating in galaxy groups and clusters, emphasizing the mass-dependent impact of black holes.

Findings

Higher fraction of quiescent satellites in groups with more massive black holes

Increased temperature of the intragroup and intracluster medium with black hole mass

Black hole feedback enhances gas heating and galaxy quenching processes

Abstract

Super-massive black holes are fundamental ingredients in our theoretical understanding of galaxy formation. They are likely the only sources energetic enough to regulate star formation within massive dark matter halos, but observational evidence of this process remains elusive. The effect of black hole feedback is expected to be a strong function of halo mass, and galaxy groups and clusters are among the most massive structures in the Universe. At fixed halo mass, we find an enhanced fraction of quiescent satellite galaxies and a hotter X-ray intragroup and intracluster medium in those groups and clusters hosting more massive black holes in their centers. These results indicate that black hole feedback makes quenching processes more efficient through a cumulative heating of the gaseous intragroup and intracluster medium.