Mapping the Dust and Multiphase Gas in the Perseus Cluster of Galaxies

We propose leveraging the unique capabilities of JWST’s NIRSpec IFU to resolve the gas kinematics within the sphere of influence of the black hole in NGC 4696, the central dominant galaxy of the Centaurus cluster of galaxies. Due to its proximity, recent deep high-spatial-resolution HST images of NGC 4696 have, for the first time, revealed an intriguing swirl in the ionized gas that appears to lead directly to the black hole— providing a unique opportunity to understand black hole accretion processes and their relationship with galaxy scale. Our objectives include mapping the velocity structure of the swirl, comparing it with state-of-the-art MHD simulations, measuring the black hole''s mass, examining Bondi accretion, probing radio jet interactions, and searching for hidden cooling flows. Overall, these observations will contribute significantly to our understanding of fundamental processes in galaxy evolution, notably supermassive black hole fueling and its connection to the host galaxy.