Grants related:
General
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.
Members
Results
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
Scientific activity
Related publications
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Torus model properties of an ultra-hard X-ray selected sample of Seyfert galaxiesWe characterize for the first time the torus properties of an ultra-hard X-ray (14-195 keV) volume-limited (DL 40 Mpc) sample of 24 Seyfert (Sy) galaxies (BCS40 sample). The sample was selected from the Swift/BAT nine-month catalogue. We use high angular resolution nuclear infrared (IR) photometry and N-band spectroscopy, the CLUMPY torus modelsGarcía-Bernete, I. et al.
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72019 -
Intrinsic and observed dual AGN fractions from major mergersA suite of 432 collisionless simulations of bound pairs of spiral galaxies with mass ratios 1:1 and 3:1, and global properties consistent with the ΛCDM paradigm, is used to test the conjecture that major mergers fuel the dual AGN (DAGN) of the local volume. Our analysis was based on the premise that the essential aspects of this scenario can beSolanes, J. M. et al.
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42019 -
Spotting the differences between active and non-active twin galaxies on kpc-scales: a pilot studyWe present a pilot study aimed to identify large-scale galaxy properties that could play a role in activating a quiescent nucleus. To do so, we compare the properties of two isolated nearby active galaxies and their non-active twins selected from the Calar Alto Legacy Integral Field Area (CALIFA) survey. This pilot sample includes two barred anddel Moral-Castro, I. et al.
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52019 -
Strong lensing reveals jets in a sub-microJy radio-quiet quasarWe present e-MERLIN and European VLBI Network observations which reveal unambiguous jet activity within radio-quiet quasar HS 0810+2554. With an intrinsic flux density of 880 nJy, this is the faintest radio source ever imaged. The findings present new evidence against the idea that radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars are powered by differentHartley, P. et al.
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52019 -
The MUSE Atlas of Disks (MAD): resolving star formation rates and gas metallicities on <100 pc scales†We study the physical properties of the ionized gas in local discs using the sample of 38 nearby ˜108.5-11.2 M⊙ Star-Forming Main-Sequence (SFMS) galaxies observed so far as part of the MUSE Atlas of Disks (MAD). Specifically, we use all strong emission lines in the MUSE wavelength range 4650-9300 Å to investigate the resolved ionized gasErroz-Ferrer, Santiago et al.
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42019 -
Quantifying Star Formation Activity in the Inner 1 kpc of Local MIR Bright QSOsWe examine star formation activity in a distant (z 0.1) and flux-limited sample of quasars (QSOs). Midinfrared (MIR) spectral diagnostics at high spatial resolution (∼0.4 arcsec) yield star formation rates (SFRs) in the inner regions (∼300 pc–1 kpc) for 13 of 20 of the sample members. We group these objects according to the size probed by the highMartínez-Paredes, M. et al.
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22019 -
SOFIA/FORCAST resolves 30-40 μm extended dust emission in nearby active galactic nucleiWe present arcsecond-scale observations of the active galactic nuclei (AGNs) of seven nearby Seyfert galaxies observed from the Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA) using the 31.5 and 37.1 μm filters of the Faint Object infraRed CAmera for the SOFIA Telescope (FORCAST). We isolate unresolved emission from the torus and findFuller, Lindsay et al.
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32019 -
An imaging spectroscopic survey of the planetary nebula NGC 7009 with MUSE★Aims: The spatial structure of the emission lines and continuum over the 50″ extent of the nearby, O-rich, PN NGC 7009 (Saturn Nebula) have been observed with the MUSE integral field spectrograph on the ESO Very Large Telescope. This study concentrates on maps of line emission and their interpretation in terms of physical conditions. Methods: MUSEWalsh, J. R. et al.
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122018 -
New active galactic nuclei science cases with interferometry. An incomplete previewInfrared (IR) interferometry has made widely recognised contributions to the way we look at the dusty environment of supermassive black holes on parsec scales. It finally provided direct evidence for orientation-dependent unification of active galaxies, however it also showed that the classical "torus" picture is oversimplified. New scientificHönig, S. F. et al.
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122018 -
MUSE crowded field 3D spectroscopy in NGC 300. I. First results from central fieldsAims: As a new approach to the study of resolved stellar populations in nearby galaxies, our goal is to demonstrate with a pilot study in NGC 300 that integral field spectroscopy with high spatial resolution and excellent seeing conditions reaches an unprecedented depth in severely crowded fields. Methods: Observations by MUSE with seven pointingsRoth, Martin M. et al.
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102018 -
Nearly all the sky is covered by Lyman-α emission around high-redshift galaxiesGalaxies are surrounded by large reservoirs of gas, mostly hydrogen, that are fed by inflows from the intergalactic medium and by outflows from galactic winds. Absorption-line measurements along the lines of sight to bright and rare background quasars indicate that this circumgalactic medium extends far beyond the starlight seen in galaxies, butWisotzki, L. et al.
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102018 -
Diffuse interstellar bands λ5780 and λ5797 in the Antennae Galaxy as seen by MUSEContext. Diffuse interstellar bands (DIBs) are faint spectral absorption features of unknown origin. Research on DIBs beyond the Local Group is very limited and will surely blossom in the era of the Extremely Large Telescopes. However, we can already start paving the way. One possibility that needs to be explored is the use of high-sensitivityMonreal-Ibero, A. et al.
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72018 -
Quantifying the AGN-driven outflows in ULIRGs (QUADROS) - II. Evidencefor compact outflow regions from HST [O III] imaging observationsThe true importance of the warm, AGN-driven outflows for the evolution of galaxies remains uncertain. Measurements of the radial extents of the outflows are key for quantifying their masses and kinetic powers, and also establishing whether the AGN outflows are galaxy-wide. Therefore, as part of a larger project to investigate the significance ofTadhunter, C. et al.
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82018 -
The origin of the mid-infrared nuclear polarization of active galactic nucleiWe combine new (NGC 1275, NGC 4151, and NGC 5506) and previously published (Cygnus A, Mrk 231, and NGC 1068) sub-arcsecond resolution mid-infrared (MIR; 8-13 μm) imaging- and spectro-polarimetric observations of six Seyfert galaxies using CanariCam on the 10.4-m Gran Telescopio CANARIAS. These observations reveal a diverse set of physical processesLopez-Rodriguez, E. et al.
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82018 -
The host galaxy of the γ-ray-emitting narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy PKS 1502+036The detection of γ-ray emission from narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLSy1) has challenged the idea that large black hole (BH) masses (≥108 M⊙) are needed to launch relativistic jets. We present near-infrared imaging data of the γ-ray-emitting NLSy1 PKS 1502+036 obtained with the Very Large Telescope. Its surface brightness profile, extending toD'Ammando, F. et al.
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72018 -
Resolving the Nuclear Obscuring Disk in the Compton-thick Seyfert Galaxy NGC 5643 with ALMAWe present ALMA Band 6 12CO(2–1) line and rest-frame 232 GHz continuum observations of the nearby Compton-thick Seyfert galaxy NGC 5643 with angular resolutions 0.″11–0.″26 (9–21 pc). The CO(2–1) integrated line map reveals emission from the nuclear and circumnuclear region with a two-arm nuclear spiral extending ∼10″ on each side. TheAlonso-Herrero, A. et al.
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62018 -
The Emission and Distribution of Dust of the Torus of NGC 1068We present observations of NGC 1068 covering the 19.7–53.0 μm wavelength range using FORCAST and HAWC+ on board SOFIA. Using these observations, high-angular-resolution infrared (IR) and submillimeter observations, we find an observational turnover of the torus emission in the 30–40 μm wavelength range with a characteristic temperature of 70–100 KLopez-Rodriguez, E. et al.
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62018 -
Circumnuclear Star Formation and AGN Activity: Clues from Surface Brightness Radial Profile of PAHs and [{\rm{S}}\,{\rm{IV}}]We studied the circumnuclear mid-IR emission in a sample of 19 local active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with high spatial resolution spectra using T-ReCS (Gemini) and CanariCam (GTC), together with Spitzer/IRS observations. We measured the flux and the equivalent width for the 11.3 μm PAH feature and the [S IV] line emission as a function ofEsparza-Arredondo, D. et al.
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62018 -
Lyman-continuum leakage as dominant source of diffuse ionized gas in the Antennae galaxyThe Antennae galaxy (NGC 4038/39) is the closest major interacting galaxy system and is therefore often studied as a merger prototype. We present the first comprehensive integral field spectroscopic dataset of this system, observed with the MUSE instrument at the ESO VLT. We cover the two regions in this system which exhibit recent star formationWeilbacher, P. M. et al.
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42018 -
Precision Determination of Corotation Radii in Galaxy Disks: Tremaine–Weinberg versus Font–Beckman for NGC 3433Density waves in galaxy disks have been proposed over the years, in a variety of specific models, to explain spiral arm structure and its relation to the mass distribution, notably in barred galaxies. An important parameter in dynamical density wave theories is the corotation radius, the galactocentric distance at which the stars and gas rotate atBeckman, J. E. et al.
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22018
