The hierarchical assembly of galaxies and dynamics in galactic nuclei naturally predict a significant population of off-nuclear massive black holes (MBHs), yet direct observational evidence remains scarce. The demographics of these off-nuclear MBHs offer critical insights into the formation of MBH mergers, the nature of ultra-compact dwarf galaxies, and the co-evolution of MBHs and their host g...
Blurred reflection features are commonly observed in the X-ray spectra of accreting black holes. In the presence of high-quality data and with the correct astrophysical model, X-ray reflection spectroscopy is a powerful tool to probe the strong gravity region of black holes, study the morphology of the accreting matter, measure black hole spins, and test Einstein's theory of General Relativity ...
The Local Group (LG), as a gravitationally bound system of the Milky Way and Andromeda, as well as their satellites, is a cornerstone of near-field cosmology. However, its utility as a cosmological probe requires understanding how it is related to the cosmic web. Using the ABACUSSUMMIT simulation, we identify LG analogues and quantify their environmental dependence. We find that the coupling en...
Ultra-Diffuse Galaxies (UDGs) represent an extraordinary class of galaxies with effective radii comparable to the Milky Way yet stellar masses only 1/100 to 1/1000 of our Galaxy. Found in a variety of cosmic environments—from galaxy clusters and groups to large-scale filaments and cosmic voids—their origins remain a subject of intense debate, positioning them at the forefront of extragalactic...
I will discuss the role of non-thermal pressure support as a major source of the difference between the hydrostatic and the total ``true'' halo mass in galaxy clusters. I will present new models and methods to constrain the non-thermal pressure, highlighting the role of the next generation of X-ray observatories, like XRISM and NewAthena, in constructing a consistent picture of the formation an...