Nuclear Activity in Galaxies: a 3D Perspective from the Nucleus to the Outskirts

    General
    Description

    This project consists of two main research lines. First, the study of quasar-driven outflows in luminous and nearby obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) and the impact that they have on their massive host galaxies (AGN feedback). To do so, we have obtained Gran Telescopio CANARIAS (GTC) infrared and optical observations with the instruments CanariCam, EMIR and MEGARA, as well as with ALMA in the sub-mm/mm regime. Part of this project is being done within the framework of the H2020 Innovative Training Network BID4BEST. The group is also devoted to obtain and exploit observing time with the JWST and ALMA as part of the GATOS consortium (Galactic Activity, Torus and Outflow Survey) with the aim of characterizing nuclear obscuration and the gas flow cycle in local AGN. Second, the application of integral field spectroscopy to the study of extended objects (active and star forming galaxies) to investigate the triggering of both phenomena. We also contribute to the development of new instruments and data analysis procedures related to 3D observing techniques. In particular, we participate in the development of HARMONI, the first-light high-spatial resolution integral field spectrograph for the ESO Extremely Large Telescope.

    Principal investigator
    Project staff
    1. Publication of a letter in MNRAS in which we studied the interplay between the ionized gas winds and the young stellar populations in the type-2 quasar Mrk 34 (Bessiere & Ramos Almeida 2022). We find evidence of positive and negative feedback happening in different parts of the same galaxy, induced by the ionized outflow. This study, part of the QSOFEED project, opens a new window to investigate the direct impact of nuclear activity on star formation in galaxies.

    2. Publication of a detailed study of the ionized and warm molecular gas kinematics in the type-2 quasar J0945+1737, part of the QSOFEED sample (Speranza et al. 2022). We reported measurements of an ionized outflow with a maximum outflow rate of 51 Msun/yr, and lack of its warm molecular counterpart.

    3. The European Network H2020-ITN-2019 "Big Data Applications for Black Hole Evolution Studies" (BID4BEST) started on March, 1st 2020 (end date Feb, 28th 2024). PhD student Giovanna Speranza started her contract at the IAC in September 2020.

    4. The total budget awarded to this project through external funding sources corresponds to 1.152.000 euros (452.000 euros - PI: C. Ramos & 700.000 euros - PI: B. García). This only includes projects starting in or after 2020, and most of the funding has been invested in hiring new researchers. Currently we are the IAC group with larger female participation.

    5. Publication of the two first papers based on the GATOS sample (García-Burillo et al. 2021; Alonso-Herrero et al. 2021). The GATOS collaboration was awarded two JWST proposals in Cycle 1, led by D. Rosario (University of Newcastle, UK) and T. Shimizu (MPE, Germany).

    6. Publication of a study of the morphology and kinematics of the cold molecular in a sample of type-2 quasars (QSO2s) at z=0.1 (Ramos Almeida et al. 2022). The study is based on data from the ALMA interferometer in the mm range, and it is part of the QSOFEED project.

    7. Publication of the work García-Lorenzo et al. (2022), which presents an analysis of the capabilities of HARMONI to reveal the stellar morpho-kinematic properties of the host galaxies of AGNs at cosmic noon.

    Related publications

    • Smooth kinematic and metallicity gradients reveal that the Milky Way's nuclear star cluster and disc might be part of the same structure
      Context. The innermost regions of most galaxies are characterised by the presence of extremely dense nuclear star clusters. Nevertheless, these clusters are not the only stellar component present in galactic nuclei, where larger stellar structures known as nuclear stellar discs, have also been found. Understanding the relation between nuclear star
      Nogueras-Lara, F. et al.

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      12
      2023
      Citations
      5
    • Investigating the impact of quasar-driven outflows on galaxies at z ∼ 0.3-0.4
      Aims: We present a detailed study of the kinematics of 19 type 2 quasars (QSO2s) with redshifts in the range 0.3 < z < 0.41 and [OIII] luminosities of L [OIII] > 10 8.5 L ⊙. We aim to advance our understanding of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback phenomenon by correlating outflow properties with (i) young stellar populations (YSPs) with
      Hervella Seoane, K. et al.

      Advertised on:

      12
      2023
      Citations
      8
    • An Extended Lyα Outflow from a Radio Galaxy at z = 3.7?
      Spatially resolved observations of active galactic nuclei (AGN) host galaxies undergoing feedback processes are one of the most relevant avenues through which galactic evolution can be studied, given the long-lasting effects AGN feedback has on gas reservoirs, star formation, and AGN environments at all scales. Within this context, we report
      Coloma Puga, Miguel et al.

      Advertised on:

      12
      2023
      Citations
      1
    • A plausible link between dynamically unsettled molecular gas and the radio jet in NGC 6328
      We report the detection of outflowing molecular gas at the center of the nearby radio galaxy NGC6328 (z = 0.014), which has a gigahertz-peaked spectrum radio core and a compact (2 pc) young double radio lobe tracing jet. Utilizing Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) CO(3 − 2) and CO(2 − 1) observations, as well as a novel code
      Papachristou, M. et al.

      Advertised on:

      11
      2023
      Citations
      3
    • A new discovery space opened by eROSITA. Ionised AGN outflows from X-ray selected samples
      Context. In the context of an evolutionary model, the outflow phase of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) occurs at the peak of its activity, once the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) is massive enough to generate sufficient power to counterbalance the potential well of the host galaxy. This outflow feedback phase plays a vital role in galaxy
      Musiimenta, B. et al.

      Advertised on:

      11
      2023
      Citations
      6
    • Composite Bulges. III. A Study of Nuclear Star Clusters in Nearby Spiral Galaxies
      We present photometric and morphological analyses of nuclear star clusters (NSCs)-very dense, massive star clusters present in the central regions of most galaxies-in a sample of 33 massive disk galaxies within 20 Mpc, part of the "Composite Bulges Survey." We use data from the Hubble Space Telescope including optical (F475W and F814W) and near-IR
      Ashok, Aishwarya et al.

      Advertised on:

      11
      2023
      Citations
      5
    • Disc galaxies are still settling. Discovery of the smallest nuclear discs and their young stellar bars
      When galactic discs settle and become massive enough, they are able to form stellar bars. These non-axisymmetric structures induce shocks in the gas, causing it to flow to the centre where nuclear structures, such as nuclear discs and rings, are formed. Previous theoretical and observational studies have hinted at the co-evolution of bars and
      de Sá-Freitas, Camila et al.

      Advertised on:

      10
      2023
      Citations
      3
    • Complex AGN feedback in the Teacup galaxy. A powerful ionised galactic outflow, jet-ISM interaction, and evidence for AGN-triggered star formation in a giant bubble
      Context. The z ∼ 0.1 type-2 QSO J1430+1339, known as the " Teacup", is a complex galaxy showing a loop of ionised gas ∼10 kpc in diameter, co-spatial radio bubbles, a compact (∼1 kpc) jet, and outflow activity. Its closeness offers the opportunity to study in detail the intricate interplay between the central supermassive black hole (SMBH) and the
      Venturi, G. et al.

      Advertised on:

      10
      2023
      Citations
      20
    • Testing Physical Scenarios for the Reflection Features of Type-1 AGNs using XMM-Newton and NuSTAR Simultaneous Observations
      Above ~3 keV, the X-ray spectrum of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is characterized by the intrinsic continuum and Compton reflection features. For type-1 AGNs, several regions may contribute to the reflection. To investigate the nature of the reflecting medium, we perform a systematic analysis of the reflector using XMM-Newton and Nuclear
      Victoria-Ceballos, César Ivan et al.

      Advertised on:

      9
      2023
      Citations
      0
    • Disk Galaxies Are Self-similar: The Universality of the H I-to-Halo Mass Ratio for Isolated Disks
      Observed scaling relations in galaxies between baryons and dark matter global properties are key to shed light on the process of galaxy formation and on the nature of dark matter. Here, we study the scaling relation between the neutral hydrogen (H I) and dark matter mass in isolated rotationally supported disk galaxies at low redshift. We first
      Korsaga, Marie et al.

      Advertised on:

      8
      2023
      Citations
      3
    • The role of grain size in active galactic nuclei torus dust models
      Context. Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are surrounded by dust within the central parsecs. The dusty circumnuclear structures, referred to as the torus, are mainly heated by radiation from the AGN and emitted at infrared wavelengths, producing the emergent dust continuum and silicate features. Fits to the infrared spectra from the nuclear regions of
      González-Martín, Omaira et al.

      Advertised on:

      8
      2023
      Citations
      5
    • Mapping the stellar population and gas excitation of MaNGA galaxies with MEGACUBES. Results for AGN versus control sample
      We present spaxel-by-spaxel stellar population fits for the ~10 000 MaNGA data cubes. We provide multiple extension fits files, nominated as MEGACUBES, with maps of several properties as well as emission-line profiles that are provided for each spaxel. All the MEGACUBES are available through a web interface (https://manga.linea.org.br/ or http:/
      Riffel, Rogério et al.

      Advertised on:

      10
      2023
      Citations
      11
    • AGN feedback in action in the molecular gas ring of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7172
      We present new ALMA observations of the CO(3−2) transition and associated 854 μm continuum at 0.06 − 0.3″ resolution, together with new VLT/SINFONI observations of NGC 7172. This is a luminous (bolometric luminosity of ≃10 44 erg s −1) Seyfert galaxy that belongs to the Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS). The ALMA CO(3−2)
      Alonso Herrero, A. et al.

      Advertised on:

      7
      2023
      Citations
      8
    • A radio-jet-driven outflow in the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110?
      We present a spatially resolved study of the ionized gas in the central 2 kpc of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 2110 and investigate the role of its moderate-luminosity radio jet (kinetic radio power of P jet = 2.3 × 10 43 erg s −1). We used new optical integral-field observations taken with the MEGARA spectrograph at the Gran Telescopio Canarias, which
      Peralta de Arriba, L. et al.

      Advertised on:

      7
      2023
      Citations
      6
    • Spatially resolved chemodynamics of the starburst dwarf galaxy CGCG 007-025: evidence for recent accretion of metal-poor gas
      Nearby metal-poor starburst dwarf galaxies present a unique opportunity to probe the physics of high-density star formation with a detail and sensitivity unmatched by any observation of the high-z Universe. Here, we present the first results from a chemodynamical study of the nearby, gas-rich starburst dwarf CGCG 007-025. We use VLT/MUSE integral
      del Valle-Espinosa, Macarena G. et al.

      Advertised on:

      6
      2023
      Citations
      7
    • Galaxy interactions are the dominant trigger for local type 2 quasars
      The triggering mechanism for the most luminous, quasar-like active galactic nuclei (AGN) remains a source of debate, with some studies favouring triggering via galaxy mergers, but others finding little evidence to support this mechanism. Here, we present deep Isaac Newton Telescope/Wide Field Camera imaging observations of a complete sample of 48
      Pierce, J. C. S. et al.

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      6
      2023
      Citations
      18
    • The miniJPAS survey: AGN and host galaxy coevolution of X-ray-selected sources
      Studies indicate strong evidence of a scaling relation in the local Universe between the supermassive black hole mass (M BH) and the stellar mass of their host galaxies (M ⋆). They even show similar histories across cosmic times of their differential terms: the star formation rate (SFR) and black hole accretion rate (BHAR). However, a clear picture
      López, I. E. et al.

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      4
      2023
      Citations
      11
    • Jet-induced molecular gas excitation and turbulence in the Teacup
      In order to investigate the impact of radio jets on the interstellar medium (ISM) of galaxies hosting active galactic nuclei (AGN), we present subarcsecond-resolution Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) CO(2-1) and CO(3-2) observations of the Teacup galaxy. This is a nearby (D L = 388 Mpc) radio-quiet type-2 quasar (QSO2) with a
      Wagner, A. Y. et al.

      Advertised on:

      3
      2023
      Citations
      22
    • The AGNIFS survey: spatially resolved observations of hot molecular and ionized outflows in nearby active galaxies
      We present the hot molecular and warm ionized gas kinematics for 33 nearby (0.001 ≲ z ≲ 0.056) X-ray selected active galaxies using the H$_2\, 2.1218\, \mu$m and Br γ emission lines observed in the K band with the Gemini near-infrared integral field spectrograph. The observations cover the inner 0.04-2 kpc of each active galactic nucleus at spatial
      Riffel, R. A. et al.

      Advertised on:

      5
      2023
      Citations
      19
    • A new method for age-dating the formation of bars in disc galaxies. The TIMER view on NGC1433's old bar and the inside-out growth of its nuclear disc
      The epoch in which galactic discs settle is a major benchmark for testing models of galaxy formation and evolution but remains largely unknown. Once discs settle and become sufficiently self-gravitating, stellar bars are able to form; therefore, determining the ages of bars can shed light on the epoch of disc settling, and on the onset of secular
      de Sá-Freitas, Camila et al.

      Advertised on:

      3
      2023
      Citations
      13

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