Connection Between Radio-Mode AGN and Feedback Cycle Revealed
Recent research has explored the connection between radio-mode Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and the AGN feedback cycle, shedding light on how these cosmic phenomena interact with their surrounding environments. The study, titled "Mapping AGN winds: a connection between radio-mode AGN and the AGN feedback cycle," was conducted by Marco Albán and colleagues, and it was submitted to arXiv on August 29, 2024.
The authors analyzed a large dataset from the SDSS-IV MaNGA survey, which includes over 10,000 galaxies. They focused on a sample of 594 unique AGN, identified through various methods, including radio observations at 1.4 GHz and optical emission line diagnostics. The research aimed to understand the kinematics of ionized gas in different AGN populations by examining the [OIII] 5007 emission-line width across these groups.
Key findings indicate that radio-selected AGN exhibit enhanced ionized gas line widths across all radii, suggesting that these AGN have been active for longer periods compared to those selected by optical methods. This implies that the radio selection technique is particularly sensitive to AGN that have experienced prolonged activity, potentially leading to significant outflows of ionized gas.
Additionally, the study found similarities in the kinematics between AGN identified through optical diagnostics and those with broad emission lines. Notably, some non-AGN galaxies displayed similar radial profiles, indicating the presence of remnant outflows from past AGN activity.
The implications of this research are substantial for understanding the AGN duty cycle and the role of AGN in galaxy evolution. The findings highlight the potential of Integral Field Unit (IFU) data to enhance our comprehension of the complex interactions between AGN and their host galaxies. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of how AGN influence their environments and the broader implications for galaxy formation and evolution.
For further details, the paper can be accessed at arXiv: 2408.16831.