TITANs
TITANs
MILLENNIUM NUCLEUS ON TRANSVERSAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY TO EXPLORE SUPERMASSIVE BLACK HOLES
Goals
TITANS aims to improve our understanding of single and binary supermassive black holes. We aim to, for the first time, determine the demographics of innermost structures around single and binary supermassive black holes via Event Horizon Telescope imaging and variabililty studies with the Zwicky Transient Facility. Our simulations aim to understand the growth and emission spectra of single and binary supermassive black holes. With funding of ~2 million US$ over six years (2020-2026) Nucleo Milenio projects target focussed research topics and are funded by Chile’s National Agency for Investigation and Development (ANID).
TITANS will focus on:
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- Black hole demographics via studies of the innermost environments (accretion inflows, jet bases, and black hole shadows) of a sample of black holes using the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT)
- Growth of black holes over cosmic time (via observations and simulations), and identification of populations in the extreme limits of current parameter space
- Binary black holes in their gravitational wave emitting phase, (via theory and simulations followed by EHT observations)
Our technology component is focussed on supporting the next generation upgrade of the EHT, site testing and characterization, atmospheric studies related to water vapor, and high bandwidth satellite communication from Antarctica.
Latest News
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December 2024: Call for a Postdoctoral position
The “Millennium Nucleus for Transversal Research and Technology to explore Supermassive Black Holes” opened a theory/simulations postdoc in November 2024. This 2 year position has several possibilities of extension and/or other longer term fellowships. The shortlist has been formed, and an offer made. We hope to finalize the hire in February 2025. info HERE
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November 2023: Three year renewal for TITANs
The “Millennium Nucleus for Transversal Research and Technology to explore Supermassive Black Holes” has been renewed for an additional three years (2024-2026) after a highly competitive selection in which 6 of ~80 projects were approved in 2023.