Quantifying the Effect of Black Hole Feedback from the Central Galaxy on the Satellite Populations of Groups and Clusters

Abstract

Supermassive 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 (IGM/ICM) 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 IGM and ICM.