VI Meeting of AGN Research in Spain in the Era of the New Observatories

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) represent one of the most extreme phenomena in the Universe. They occur when the supermassive black hole (SMBH) at the center of galaxies accretes material and emits large amounts of radiation across the electromagnetic spectrum, from Γ-rays to radio frequencies, sometimes exceeding the combined luminosity of all the stars in the host galaxy. Since their discovery in the 60´s AGN have received high interest in the astrophysical community, first seen as exotic objects and now recognized as major players in the evolution of galaxies and also recently as standard candles for cosmology. Since the 90´s has been well established that massive galaxies (and possible all galaxies) harbor a SMBH at their center, whose mass is strongly correlated with certain properties of the galaxy. The evolution of star formation history and AGN appears to follow similar trends up to very early ages of the Universe, at the same time as theoretical models indicate that nuclear activity is essential for regulating star formation through feedback mechanisms. Significant progress has recently been made in understanding the physical processes associated with AGNs, although important questions still remain open, mainly about their intrinsic nature and role in the formation and evolution of galaxies. Advances in the knowledge of AGN are supported by the availability of new astronomical technology that in the present and near future will reduce some of the most severe limitations of the previous instrumentation. Spatial resolutions will be achieved that will make it possible to study the vicinity of the supermassive black hole and will cover ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum that have been little explored to date. Following the success of the prior Spanish AGN meetings, once again this meeting will allow to revise the current understanding in AGN research, discuss the potential of recent and upcoming instrumentation, and to find synergies among different Spanish AGNs teams. A particular attention will be devoted to the new instrumental projects of relevant interest for AGN studies in which Spain is involved. The main aim of these meetings is to have an open and friendly discussion on the recent results about AGN research which impact in our projects.