Black Holes, Galaxy Formation and the Large-scale Structure of the Universe

A new model for the formation of active galaxies is described. A key feature of this model is the idea that the birth of black holes in the centers of supergiant galaxies is strongly influenced by the large-scale distribution of matter in the universe. This conjecture can successfully explain two observed phenomena: the alignment of the radio, optical and infrared axes of high-redshift radio galaxies, and the alignment of present-day cD galaxies with their environs. Other recent observational tests of this theory are also discussed.