Scottsdale Community College: STEM Speaker Series 3 – Cosmic Feedback: When Black Holes Talk Back

Galaxies, often referred to as “Cosmic Ecosystems,” are composed of stars, gas, and black holes. The interactions between these components determine how a galaxy evolves as a dynamic system over time. Galactic winds, driven by active black holes—especially in the dusty cores of colliding galaxies—are believed to play a crucial role in this evolutionary process. This talk will present the latest findings from the James Webb Space Telescope, showcasing merging galaxies and revealing hidden black holes and star formation. It will also trace the movement of gas across these galactic ecosystems, addressing the longstanding question: How do galaxies and black holes evolve together? This talk is part of the Shapley Lecture Series and is sponsored by the American Astronomy Society (AAS), the SETI Institute, and the NASA Community College Network. Speaker: Dr. Vivian U Topic: Cosmic Feedback: When Black Holes Talk Back Date: Monday, April 7 Time: 3:30 – 4:30 pm Location: SL-116