Recent photometric surveys with James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed a significant population of mysterious objects with red colours, compact morphologies, frequent signs of active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity, and negligible X-ray emission. These 'little red dots' (LRDs) have been explored through spectral and photometric studies, but their nature is still under debate. As part of the BlackTHUNDER survey, we have observed UNCOVER_20466, one of the most distant LRDs known (), with the JWST/NIRSpec Integral Field Unit (IFU). Previous JWST/NIRCam and JWST/NIRSpec MSA observations of this source revealed its LRD nature, as well as the presence of an AGN. Using our NIRSpec IFU data, we confirm that UNCOVER_20466 is an LRD (based on spectral slopes and compactness) that contains an overmassive black hole. However, our observed Balmer decrements do not suggest strong dust attenuation, resulting in a lower-based bolometric luminosity and () than previously found. This source lies on local relations between and, suggesting that this could be a progenitor of the core of a lower-redshift galaxy. We explore the possible evolution of this source, finding evidence for substantial black hole accretion in the past and a likely origin as a heavy seed at high redshift (). emission is strongly detected, implying. The extremely high / ratio is indicative of not only AGN photoionization and heating, but also extremely high densities (), suggesting that this black hole at such high redshift may be forming in an ultra-dense protogalaxy.

BlackTHUNDER : Shedding light on a dormant and extreme little red dot at z = 8.50

Carniani S.;
2026

Abstract

Recent photometric surveys with James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) have revealed a significant population of mysterious objects with red colours, compact morphologies, frequent signs of active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity, and negligible X-ray emission. These 'little red dots' (LRDs) have been explored through spectral and photometric studies, but their nature is still under debate. As part of the BlackTHUNDER survey, we have observed UNCOVER_20466, one of the most distant LRDs known (), with the JWST/NIRSpec Integral Field Unit (IFU). Previous JWST/NIRCam and JWST/NIRSpec MSA observations of this source revealed its LRD nature, as well as the presence of an AGN. Using our NIRSpec IFU data, we confirm that UNCOVER_20466 is an LRD (based on spectral slopes and compactness) that contains an overmassive black hole. However, our observed Balmer decrements do not suggest strong dust attenuation, resulting in a lower-based bolometric luminosity and () than previously found. This source lies on local relations between and, suggesting that this could be a progenitor of the core of a lower-redshift galaxy. We explore the possible evolution of this source, finding evidence for substantial black hole accretion in the past and a likely origin as a heavy seed at high redshift (). emission is strongly detected, implying. The extremely high / ratio is indicative of not only AGN photoionization and heating, but also extremely high densities (), suggesting that this black hole at such high redshift may be forming in an ultra-dense protogalaxy.
2026
Settore PHYS-05/A - Astrofisica, cosmologia e scienza dello spazio
Galaxies: Active; galaxies: high-redshift; quasars: supermassive black holes
   Winds in galaxies.
   WINGS
   European Commission
   Grant Agreement n. 101040227

   Finding the most distant galaxies with NIRSpec guaranteed time on the James Webb Space Telescope
   FirstGalaxies
   European Commission
   Horizon 2020 Framework Programme - European Research Council - Advanced Grant
   789056

   Active galactic nuclei and Population III stars in early galaxies
   APEX
   European Commission
   Horizon Europe Framework Programme - European Research Council - HORIZON ERC Grants
   101164796

   Star formation quenching and feedback in galaxies throughout the cosmic epochs
   QUENCH
   European Commission
   Horizon 2020 Framework Programme - European Research Council - Advanced Grant
   695671
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11384/164166
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