[TimeKAT] Unveiling the physics of powerful relativistic jets from accreting black holes with time-domain observations
Ente: EC
Scadenza: 2029-08-31
Importo max: 193.643 EUR
Paese: EU
Descrizione
Understanding how black holes, the most extreme objects we know, accrete matter and channel it into relativistic jets is one of the central open problems in astrophysics. These powerful outflows, moving at nearly the speed of light, are capable of injecting vast amounts of energy into their surroundings, thereby shaping the interstellar medium and influencing the long-term evolution of their host galaxies. Yet, despite their importance on galactic scales, the intrinsic properties of jets, such as speed, composition, mechanical power, internal structure, and the physical mechanism that launches them, remain poorly constrained after decades of research.
In my proposed TimeKAT project, I will exploit fast multi-wavelength variability as a new and powerful probe of jet physics. By combining high-time-resolution radio data from MeerKAT with simultaneous infrared, optical, and X-ray observations, I will directly measure jet bulk motion, constrain their composition and mechanical power, and characterise their internal structure and energy dissipation across different accretion regimes. This two-step strategy, first fitting the spectral energy distribution, then modeling the timing properties, will provide the most stringent constraints yet on the physical properties and launching mechanisms of relativistic jets from stellar-mass black holes. Beyond advancing jet theory, this project will clarify how black hole outflows couple to their larger environment, from stellar neighbourhoods to galactic scales, shedding new light on the role of compact objects as drivers of cosmic feedback.
In parallel, I will develop and publicly release the first pipeline for radio timing studies with MeerKAT, unlocking an unexplored observational window. This will establish a foundation for short-timescale radio variability studies with the Square Kilometre Array, reinforcing European leadership in the field and delivering a lasting legacy to the astrophysics community.
Settori: Horizon Europe Topics
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