1) The following work tasks have been completed during the project:
• Analysis of the mechanisms for gas transport in an early-type galaxy/S0. Using high-quality data on a galaxy with counter-rotating structures, we have determined the distribution of gas and its dynamical properties as it flows to the black hole. Our analysis was the first observational evidence for a predicted theoretical scenario of gas inflow after a galaxy interaction. We determined the physical mechanism that transported the gas and discussed its relevance in the context of all galaxies that undergo the same events. The results of this work were published in Raimundo 2021, ‘External gas accretion provides a fresh gas supply to the active S0 galaxy NGC 5077’ Astronomy & Astrophysics, 650, 34.
• Analysis of a large sample of 3068 galaxies to investigate if counter-rotating structures or large misalignments promote the flow of gas towards the black hole. This detailed analysis has been completed by analysing the distribution, dynamics and excitation conditions of the entire sample of galaxies, divided according to the level of black hole activity and galaxy type. We discovered that misaligned structures (of which counter-rotating structures are a subset) and the associated galaxy interactions promote the flow of gas towards the black hole and black hole activity. The results of this work we published in Raimundo, Malkan & Vestergaard, 2023, ‘An increase in black hole activity in galaxies with kinematically misaligned gas’, Nature Astronomy, 7, 463.
• Analysis of the misalignment structures and black hole activity of a sample of 10 000 galaxies from the MaNGA survey. This much larger sample validates the results found in Raimundo, Malkan & Vestergaard (2023) for a much larger sample and even when a different selection is used to identify active black holes.
• Planned and obtained new observations using international facilities, namely with OSIRIS, an instrument on the W. M. Keck Observatory, and NIFS, an instrument on the Gemini Observatory.
2) The results were disseminated to the research community during 11 seminars at international institutes and conferences.
3) The results were disseminated to the public via 20 outreach events to students (from 8 - 17 years-old) and to the public in general. Additionally, the results were disseminated via two press releases and interviews with the media.
