The fundamental signature of star formation quenching from AGN feedback: A critical dependence of quiescence on supermassive black hole mass not accretion rate

TL;DR

This study reveals that supermassive black hole mass, rather than accretion rate, is the key predictor of galaxy quenching across cosmic time, supported by simulations and observations.

Contribution

It demonstrates that black hole mass is the primary factor influencing star formation quenching, challenging the reliance on AGN luminosity as a feedback indicator.

Findings

Black hole mass is the most predictive parameter of galaxy quenching in simulations.

AGN accretion rate has little predictive power over quenching.

Stellar gravitational potential outperforms other observable parameters in predicting quenching.

Abstract

We identify the intrinsic dependence of star formation quenching on a variety of galactic and environmental parameters, utilizing a machine learning approach with Random Forest classification. We have previously demonstrated the power of this technique to isolate causality, not mere correlation, in complex astronomical data. First, we analyze three cosmological hydrodynamical simulations (Eagle, Illustris, and IllustrisTNG), selecting snapshots spanning the bulk of cosmic history from comic noon ($z \sim 2$) to the present epoch, with stellar masses in the range $9 < \log(M_*/M_{\odot}) < 12$. In the simulations, black hole mass is unanimously found to be the most predictive parameter of central galaxy quenching at all epochs. Perhaps surprisingly, black hole accretion rate (and hence the bolometric luminosity of active galactic nuclei, AGN) is found to be of little predictive power over quenching. This theoretical result is important for observational studies of galaxy quenching as it cautions against using the current AGN state of a galaxy as a useful proxy for the cumulative impact of AGN feedback on a galactic system. The latter is traced by black hole mass not AGN luminosity. Additionally, we explore a sub-set of 'observable' parameters, which can be readily measured in extant wide-field galaxy surveys targeting $z = 0 - 2$, at $9 < \log(M_*/M_{\odot}) < 12$. All three simulations predict that in lieu of black hole mass, the stellar gravitational potential will outperform the other parameters in predicting quenching. We confirm this theoretical prediction observationally in the SDSS (at low redshifts) and in CANDELS (at intermediate and high redshifts).