Searching for and characterising obscured AGN in the high redshift Universe with JWST

Funder	Science and Technology Facilities Council
Recipient Organization	University of Hertfordshire
Country	United Kingdom
Start Date	Sep 30, 2022
End Date	Mar 30, 2026
Duration	1,277 days
Number of Grantees	2
Roles	Student; Supervisor
Data Source	UKRI Gateway to Research
Grant ID	`2764727`

Grant Description

With the recent launch of JWST, we have access to rest-frame optical spectroscopy out to very high redshifts. This allows us to find new AGN (Active Galactic Nuclei) using existing emission line diagnostics at low redshift. However, we expect the population to evolve meaning those diagnostics may not find all AGN.

This project focuses on using BEAGLE-AGN, a bayesian SED-fitting code that includes models of line emission from AGN narrow-line regions. As part of the NIRSpec GTO team, this student will analyse new, deep spectroscopy. Identify AGN using BEAGLE-AGN, and characterise the gas properties within the narrow line regions themselves.

This will add to existing detection methods to provide a more complete census of AGN in the early Universe.