Nearby Active Galaxies

Active galaxies, in which an immense amount of non-stellar radiation over the whole electromagnetic spectrum is produced by accretion of matter by a central supermassive black hole, belong to the most exciting objects in the Universe. We aim to study nearby Active Galactive Nuclei (AGN) to understand the interplay between black hole activity and the host galaxy, especially the conditions and impact of star formation in the circumnuclear region. Studies of AGN at low to intermediate redshifts are essential to bridge the gap to the only marginally spatially resolved high-redshift galaxies and to understand galaxy evolution over time. This is especially important as preparation for studies with the upcoming James-Webb-Space-Telescope, in the development of which we are involved within the MIRI collaboration, which will allow a view back further in the past of our Universe.