New SKAO (Square Kilometre Array Observatory) extragalactic science papers outline how upcoming radio continuum and H I surveys will expand understanding of galaxy evolution and active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity. The works describe reference survey strategies that build on pre-SKAO efforts while opening “new parameter space,” including approaches that combine wide-area, tiered radio observations at specific frequencies with deeper, multi-frequency imaging in selected extragalactic fields. Multi-band radio continuum data are expected to provide dust-unbiased measures of the cosmic star-formation history in star-forming galaxies and to support robust spectral energy distribution analyses across cosmic time. For AGN, the planned sensitivity and resolution are presented as enabling studies of AGN physics and duty cycles, clarification of the origin of radio emission in radio-quiet AGN, and tests of co-evolution between black holes and their host galaxies. Additional SKAO products include tracing diffuse synchrotron emission from galaxy clusters and the cosmic web, linking cosmic-ray acceleration to large-scale magnetic fields. The papers also emphasize that high-multiplex optical spectroscopy is key to obtaining precise redshifts and separating star formation from AGN through emission-line and continuum diagnostics, and that it enables statistical H I measurements via stacking and environmental studies through large-scale structure mapping.
SKAO extragalactic radio continuum surveys aim to map galaxy–AGN co-evolution
New SKAO (Square Kilometre Array Observatory) extragalactic science papers outline how upcoming radio continuum and H I surveys will expand understanding of galaxy evolution and active galactic nuclei...
- SKAO radio continuum capabilities are expected to enable multi-band studies of star formation and AGN activity across cosmic time.
- Planned survey strategies include wide-area, tiered continuum observations and complementary deep multi-frequency imaging in selected extragalactic fields.
- Multi-band radio data are intended to help constrain spectral energy distributions, improve calibration when radio spectral coverage is sparse, and investigate galaxy/black hole co-evolution.
- High-multiplex optical spectroscopy is highlighted as necessary for precise redshifts and for separating star formation from AGN using emission-line and optical continuum diagnostics.
- Combining SKAO continuum and H I with optical spectroscopy is described as enabling statistical H I studies (including out to redshifts beyond z=1 via stacking) and investigations of environmental effects on the baryon cycle.
arXiv:2606.24802v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: In this chapter we provide an overview of the science enabled by the SKAO, focusing on galaxy/AGN co-evolution studies. In particular we discuss a number of radio continuum `reference' surveys with the SKAO, highlighting the role they can play in advancing this research field with respect to the pre-SKAO era. Alongside well-explored scenarios for wedding cake-like, tiered extragalactic surveys at specific frequencies, we also address the scope for complementary efforts to obtain deep multi-frequency imaging over parts of (an) extragalactic field(s). In addition to providing key information on the physical properties of the emitting sources, such multi-frequency imaging will make important contributions to the calibration of observables from surveys with sparser radio spectral coverage. In this context, we explore possible pathways that can fully exploit the SKAO from initial (AA*) to baseline capabilities (AA4). Finally, we highlight observational synergies with other major facilities -- for wide field and targeted follow-up science -- that will be operational in the 2030s, and for which joint coverage of extragalactic fields will generate significant legacy value
18 hours agoarXiv:2606.24843v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Radio continuum observations provide a powerful probe of energetic processes that drive galaxy evolution across cosmic time. The combined sensitivity, angular resolution, and survey speed of the SKAO's telescopes will enable transformative advances in extragalactic astronomy by revealing important details into the interplay between star formation, accretion onto supermassive black holes, magnetic fields, and cosmic rays in galaxies and their environments. In this article, we summarize the key science goals of the Extragalactic Continuum Science Working Group and the contributions of related chapters to Advancing Astrophysics with the SKA II (AASKAII). For star forming galaxies, this includes using multi-band SKA continuum observations to provide dust-unbiased measurements of the cosmic star-formation history and enable robust spectral energy distribution analyses of star-forming galaxies (SFGs) across cosmic time. This is alongside studies which will be crucial to uncover the physics and duty cycles of active galactic nuclei (AGN), clarify the origin of radio emission in radio-quiet AGN, and probe the co-evolution of black holes and their host galaxies. Moreover, the SKA's sensitivity will also reveal diffuse synchrotron emission in galaxy clusters and the cosmic web, tracing cosmic-ray acceleration within large-scale magnetic fields. Extragalactic continuum studies with the SKA will combine wide area continuum surveys, multi-band studies and imaging over those fields which have an abundance of data across the electromagnetic spectrum. The capabilities of the SKA telescopes will position it as a cornerstone facility for addressing fundamental questions in galaxy formation and evolution.
18 hours agoarXiv:2606.24744v1 Announce Type: new Abstract: Parallel to the transformation in radio continuum and H I observations from SKAO pathfinders and precursors over the past decade has been the development of a new generation of multi-object spectrographs that will be equally transformational in a broad range of scientific areas. For all extragalactic radio source populations, this spectroscopy is essential for providing precise redshifts, separating star-formation and AGN activity, identifying accretion modes and revealing detailed host galaxy properties. It is only with the detailed emission line and optical continuum diagnostics from spectroscopy that we can begin to link the AGN and star-formation activity revealed by the radio continuum to the kinematic and chemical histories of galaxies. Crucially, extensive spectroscopy also unlocks the full potential of H I observations by enabling statistical measures of the H I content of galaxies out to $z = 1$ and beyond, through spectral stacking analyses, as well as comprehensively tracing the local environment and large-scale structure to enable studies of environmental effects on the baryon cycle. We outline the scientific synergies enabled by combining SKAO continuum and H I surveys with current optical spectroscopic surveys, as well as identifying the needs and scientific potential of future spectroscopic surveys dedicated to the radio source population with both existing and planned optical facilities.
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