Unveiling Black Holes and Outflows in Dwarf Galaxies Across Cosmic Time with DESI

Astronomy is entering a new era with surveys like the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI), which will help scientists understand how black holes and galaxies evolve together. DESI is a state-of-the-art instrument supported by an international partnership that includes the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation (NSF). It measures and analyzes the light from millions of galaxies and quasars. This project will use DESI Data Release 1 and multiple detection methods to identify black holes in dwarf galaxies, where their presence and influence remain poorly understood. By comparing dwarf galaxies with and without active black holes, the researchers will investigate how black holes affect galaxy evolution. The project will produce a more complete and accurate census of black holes in dwarf galaxies, improving models of galaxy formation and evolution. In addition, the team will develop a hands-on coding workshop for high school students, with all materials made freely available online for educators across the United States. While the black hole population in nearby dwarf galaxies can help constrain the origins of supermassive black holes, our current census is limited by the sensitivity of existing observations. Although black hole-driven outflows, known as black hole feedback, have been detected in dwarf galaxies, their impact on galaxy evolution remains a topic of active debate. This project will significantly expand the census of black holes in dwarf galaxies through a comprehensive, multi-wavelength search for active black holes using DESI Data Release 1. The project will also apply advanced machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, including principal component analysis (PCA), to analyze these large, high-dimensional datasets. In addition, the project will develop a workshop for ninth-grade students that uses a combination of hands-on and computer-based activities to teach coding and computational thinking. To engage the broader public, the research team will present its scientific results through four public talks hosted by the Nashville chapter of Astronomy on Tap, promoting scientific literacy and public engagement with astronomy. Finally, the project will provide research and data science training for two high school students, two undergraduate students, and two graduate students, helping prepare the next generation of the U.S. STEM workforce. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.