Brightest cluster galaxies (BCGs) residing in cool-core clusters are known to be the stage of intricate baryon cycle phenomena (e.g. gas inflows, AGN outflows, star formation feedback). The scenarios describing the observed properties of these galaxies are still controversial, suffering from limitations due to the spatial resolving power of the instruments, specifically for galaxies beyond the Local Universe. However, the dramatic improvements introduced by the integral-field unit instruments (e.g. MUSE) could shed light on the physical processes driving the evolution of these galaxies. We present an extensive analysis of the stellar and gas properties (i.e. kinematics, stellar mass, star formation rate) of the radio-loud BCG sitting at the centre of the X-ray luminous cool-core cluster Abell 2667 (z = 0.23), based on MUSE data. Our results indicate that the BCG is a massive elliptical, hosting an AGN that is possibly undergoing accretion of cold star-forming clouds of ICM or galactic cannibalism.

Multi-phase filamentary structures surrounding giant elliptical galaxies at the center of cool-core clusters, the Brightest Cluster Galaxies (BCGs), have been detected from optical to submillimeter wavelengths. The source of the ionisation in the filaments is still debated. Studying the excitation of these structures is key to our understanding of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) feedback in general, and more precisely of the impact of environmental and local effects on star formation. One possible contributor to the excitation of the filaments is the thermal radiation from the cooling of the hot plasma surrounding the BCGs, the so-called cooling flow.

We present 21 cm (L-band) JVLA observations of the Perseus Cluster, comprising data from all four array configurations. The resulting images are nearly an order of magnitude deeper than any other image made of NGC 1275 and its environs at this frequency.

Feedback released during the growth of supermassive black holes is expected to play a key role in shaping black hole-host galaxy co-evolution. Powerful, accretion disc driven winds have been invoked to explain both observed scaling relations (e.g., M − σ) and large-scale outflows with mass outflow rates of ~ 100 − 1000 M⊙ yr−1 and momentum rates of up to ~ 30 LAGN/c. Critically, how these winds couple to the host galaxy depends on if they are momentum or energy conserving. I outline observational signatures that could distinguish between these regimes and discuss their roles in establishing galaxy properties. Furthermore, I discuss high-resolution simulations exploring feedback in a multi-phase medium, highlighting how structural properties of galaxies can impact feedback efficiency. Finally, feedback, in the form of collimated jets, is expected to regulate cooling in galaxy clusters. I discuss new simulations of jet feedback using the moving-mesh code AREPO and outline the scope of our new study.

Cool core clusters of galaxies require strong feedback from their central AGN to offset cooling. We present a study of strong cool core, highly-luminous (most with Lx ≥ 1045 erg s−1), clusters of galaxies in which the mean central AGN jet power must be very high yet no central point X-ray source is detected. Using the unique spatial resolution of Chandra, a sample of 13 clusters is analysed, including A1835, A2204, and one of the most massive cool core clusters, RXCJ1504.1-0248. All of the central galaxies host a radio source, indicating an active nucleus, and no obvious X-ray point source. For all clusters in the sample, the nucleus has an X-ray bolometric luminosity below 2 per cent of that of the entire cluster. We investigate how these clusters can have such strong X-ray luminosities, short radiative cooling-times of the inner intracluster gas requiring strong energy feedback to counterbalance that cooling, and yet have such radiatively-inefficient cores with, on average, Lkin/Lnuc exceeding 200. Explanations of this puzzle carry significant implications for the origin and operation of jets, as well as on establishing the importance of kinetic feedback for the evolution of galaxies and their surrounding medium.