Black Holes and Galaxy Evolution

Over the last decade, telescopes with unprecedented range and capability have transformed our understanding of our universe. These telescopes have provided data that has radically changed our view of galaxies, including our own Milky Way. In this general science talk, I discuss basics of galaxies and how they form. I introduce super massive black holes (millions of times more massive than our Sun) which are found in the very centers of galaxies. I show that there must be a relation between the formation and evolution of galaxies and their central massive black holes. I show recent results of my own research that provide clues to the still mysterious nature of the interactions between galaxies and their central black holes.