Probing AGN feedback in early-type galaxies

AGN feedback is a key ingredient in modern galaxy formation models, invoked tosuppress star formation (SF) activity in earlytype galaxies at recent epochs.However, the physics of this process is not well understood and poorlyconstrained by observations. Compelling observational evidence for its mereexistence has been missing so far. We identified a sample of earlytype galaxiesin SDSS that define an AGN feedback sequence transitioning from SF via AGN toquiescence. We propose observations on a subsample of 18 targets characterizingthe AGN feedback process. These data will provide critical information about thepresence and significance of black hole activity in this sample, providingdeeper insight into the physics of AGN feedback in earlytype galaxies. truncated!, Please see actual data for full text [truncated!, Please see actual data for full text]