Dr. Carolina Andonie (MPE)
22 October 2025
11:30, Aula Piazzi
Abstract:
Quasars are the most luminous subset of the Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) population and represent the most rapid phase of supermassive black hole (SMBH) growth. Strong observational evidence supports a connection between SMBH accretion and the evolution of their host galaxies, where obscured quasars are expected to play a key role. However, this role has not yet been fully understood since large quasar samples contain predominantly unobscured systems. In this talk, I will present the largest multiwavelength (X-ray to radio) characterization of an obscuration-unbiased sample of quasars to date. I will show how the accretion and host galaxy properties of obscured and unobscured quasars challenge the standard AGN orientation model and instead suggest an evolutionary relation between different quasar populations. With the objective of pushing forward the obscured quasar research, I will then introduce the upcoming 4MOST IR AGN surgery, the first large-scale optical spectroscopic survey targeting obscured IR AGN. Finally, I will present recent results using the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, where we probe the connection between gas/dust obscuration and AGN accretion and spectral properties in X-ray AGN. I will discuss how upcoming multiwavelength large-scale surveys will allow us to improve our understanding of the (non)evolutionary relationship between different AGN populations and galaxies.