Outflows in the inner kiloparsec of NGC 1566 as revealed by molecular (ALMA) and ionized gas (Gemini-GMOS/IFU) kinematics

Context. Tracing nuclear inflows and outflows in active galactic nuclei (AGNs), determining the mass of gas involved in them, and their impact on the host galaxy and nuclear black hole requires 3D imaging studies of both the ionized and molecular gas. Aims. We map the distribution and kinematics of molecular and ionized gas in a sample of active galaxies to quantify the nuclear inflows and outflows. Here, we analyze the nuclear kinematics of NGC 1566 via ALMA observations of the CO J:2-1 emission at 24 pc spatial and ∼2.6 km s−1 spectral resolution, and Gemini-GMOS/IFU observations of ionized gas emission lines and stellar absorption lines at similar spatial resolution, and 123 km s−1 of intrinsic spectral resolution. Methods. The morphology and kinematics of stellar, molecular (CO), and ionized ([N II]) emission lines are compared to the expectations from rotation, outflows, and streaming inflows. Results. While both ionized and molecular gas show rotation signatures, there are significant non-circular motions in the innermost 200 pc and along spiral arms in the central kpc (CO). The nucleus shows a double-peaked CO profile (full width at zero intensity of 200 km s−1), and prominent (∼80 km s−1) blue- and redshifted lobes are found along the minor axis in the inner arcseconds. Perturbations by the large-scale bar can qualitatively explain all features in the observed velocity field. We thus favor the presence of a molecular outflow in the disk with true velocities of ∼180 km s−1 in the nucleus and decelerating to 0 by ∼72 pc. The implied molecular outflow rate is 5.6 M⊙ yr−1, with this gas accumulating in the nuclear 2″ arms. The ionized gas kinematics support an interpretation of a similar but more spherical outflow in the inner 100 pc, with no signs of deceleration. There is some evidence of streaming inflows of ∼50 km s−1 along specific spiral arms, and the estimated molecular mass inflow rate, ∼0.1 M⊙ yr−1, is significantly higher than the SMBH accretion rate (ṁ = 4.8 × 10−5 M⊙ yr−1).

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The gentle monster PDS 456

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201935524 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 628 ◽

pp. A118 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

M. Bischetti ◽

E. Piconcelli ◽

C. Feruglio ◽

F. Fiore ◽

S. Carniani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Rotating Disk ◽

Continuum Emission ◽

Host Galaxy ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

Bolometric Luminosity ◽

Molecular Outflow ◽

Outflow Rate ◽

Mass Outflow ◽

Energy Conserving

We report on the first ALMA observation of the CO(3−2) and rest-frame ∼340 GHz continuum emission in PDS 456, which is the most luminous, radio-quiet QSO in the local Universe (z ≃ 0.18), with a bolometric luminosity LBol ∼ 1047 erg s−1. ALMA angular resolution allowed us to map scales as small as ∼700 pc. The molecular gas reservoir traced by the core of the very bright CO(3−2) emission line is distributed in a compact rotating disk, with a size of ∼1.3 kpc, seen close to face-on (i ∼ 25 deg). Fast CO(3−2) emission in the velocity range v ∈ [ − 1000, 500] km s−1 is also present. Specifically, we detect several blue-shifted clumps out to ∼5 kpc from the nucleus, in addition to a compact (R ≲ 1.2 kpc), broad emission component. These components reveal a galaxy-wide molecular outflow, with a total mass Mmolout ∼ 2.5 × 108 M⊙ (for an αCO = 0.8 M⊙ (K km s−1 pc2)−1) and a mass outflow rate Ṁmol ∼ 290 M⊙ yr−1. The corresponding depletion time is τdep ∼ 8 Myr, shorter than the rate at which the molecular gas is converted into stars, indicating that the detected outflow is potentially able to quench star-formation in the host. The momentum flux of the molecular outflow normalised to the radiative momentum output (i.e. LBol/c) is ≲1, comparable to that of the X-ray ultra-fast outflow (UFO) detected in PDS 456. This is at odds with the expectations for an energy-conserving expansion suggested for most of the large-scale outflows detected in low-luminosity AGNs so far. We suggest three possible scenarios that may explain this observation: (i) in very luminous AGNs such as our target the molecular gas phase is tracing only a fraction of the total outflowing mass; (ii) a small coupling between the shocked gas by the UFO and the host-galaxy interstellar medium (ISM); and (iii) AGN radiation pressure may be playing an important role in driving the outflow.

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Searching for molecular gas inflows and outflows in the nuclear regions of five Seyfert galaxies

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201936961 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 643 ◽

pp. A127 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. J. Domínguez-Fernández ◽

A. Alonso-Herrero ◽

S. García-Burillo ◽

R. I. Davies ◽

A. Usero ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Seyfert Galaxies ◽

Host Galaxy ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

Detailed Knowledge ◽

Ionized Gas ◽

Gas Kinematics ◽

The Galaxy ◽

Galaxy Disk ◽

Nuclear Regions

Active galactic nucleus (AGN) driven outflows are believed to play an important role in regulating the growth of galaxies, mostly via negative feedback. However, their effects on their hosts are far from clear, especially for low- and moderate-luminosity Seyferts. To investigate this issue, we obtained cold molecular gas observations, traced by the CO(2-1) transition, using the NOEMA interferometer of five nearby (distances between 19 and 58 Mpc) Seyfert galaxies. The resolution of ∼0.3–0.8 (∼30–100 pc) and field of view of NOEMA allowed us to study the CO(2-1) morphology and kinematics in the nuclear regions (∼100 pc) and up to radial distances of ∼900 pc. We detected CO(2-1) emission in all five galaxies with disky or circumnuclear ring-like morphologies. We derived cold molecular gas masses on nuclear (∼100 pc) and circumnuclear (∼650 pc) scales in the range from 106 to 107 M⊙ and from 107 to 108 M⊙, respectively. In all of our galaxies, the bulk of this gas is rotating in the plane of the galaxy. However, noncircular motions are also present. In NGC 4253, NGC 4388, and NGC 7465, we can ascribe the streaming motions to the presence of a large-scale bar. In Mrk 1066 and NGC 4388, the noncircular motions in the nuclear regions are explained as outflowing material due to the interaction of the AGN wind with molecular gas in the galaxy disk. We conclude that for an unambiguous and precise interpretation of the kinematics of the cold molecular gas, we need detailed knowledge of the host galaxy (i.e., presence of bars, interactions, etc.), and also of the ionized gas kinematics and ionization cone geometry.

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Molecular gas in the central region of NGC 7213

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/202037660 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 641 ◽

pp. A151

Author(s):

F. Salvestrini ◽

C. Gruppioni ◽

F. Pozzi ◽

C. Vignali ◽

A. Giannetti ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Star Formation ◽

Emission Line ◽

Large Scale ◽

Host Galaxy ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

X Ray ◽

Gas Kinematics ◽

Star Formation Activity ◽

Multi Wavelength

We present a multi-wavelength study (from X-ray to mm) of the nearby low-luminosity active galactic nucleus NGC 7213. We combine the information from the different bands to characterise the source in terms of contribution from the AGN and the host-galaxy interstellar medium. This approach allows us to provide a coherent picture of the role of the AGN and its impact, if any, on the star formation and molecular gas properties of the host galaxy. We focused our study on archival ALMA Cycle 1 observations, where the CO(2–1) emission line has been used as a tracer of the molecular gas. Using the 3DBAROLO code on ALMA data, we performed the modelling of the molecular gas kinematics traced by the CO(2–1) emission, finding a rotationally dominated pattern. The molecular gas mass of the host galaxy was estimated from the integrated CO(2–1) emission line obtained with APEX data, assuming an αCO conversion factor. Had we used the ALMA data, we would have underestimated the gas masses by a factor ∼3, given the filtering out of the large-scale emission in interferometric observations. We also performed a complete X-ray spectral analysis on archival observations, revealing a relatively faint and unobscured AGN. The AGN proved to be too faint to significantly affect the properties of the host galaxy, such as star formation activity and molecular gas kinematics and distribution.

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Multiphase feedback processes in the Sy2 galaxy NGC 5643

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/202038256 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 645 ◽

pp. A21

Author(s):

I. García-Bernete ◽

A. Alonso-Herrero ◽

S. García-Burillo ◽

M. Pereira-Santaella ◽

B. García-Lorenzo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Feedback ◽

Optical Emission ◽

Emission Lines ◽

Gas Content ◽

Host Galaxy ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

Ionized Gas ◽

Mass Rate ◽

Narrow Component ◽

Galaxy Disk

We study the multiphase feedback processes in the central ∼3 kpc of the barred Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 5643. We used observations of the cold molecular gas (ALMA CO(2−1) transition) and ionized gas (MUSE IFU optical emission lines). We studied different regions along the outflow zone, which extends out to ∼2.3 kpc in the same direction (east-west) as the radio jet, as well as nuclear and circumnuclear regions in the host galaxy disk. The CO(2−1) line profiles of regions in the outflow and spiral arms show two or more different velocity components: one associated with the host galaxy rotation, and the others with out- or inflowing material. In the outflow region, the [O III]λ5007 Å emission lines have two or more components: the narrow component traces rotation of the gas in the disk, and the others are related to the ionized outflow. The deprojected outflowing velocities of the cold molecular gas (median Vcentral ∼ 189 km s−1) are generally lower than those of the outflowing ionized gas, which reach deprojected velocities of up to 750 km s−1 close to the active galactic nucleus (AGN), and their spatial profiles follow those of the ionized phase. This suggests that the outflowing molecular gas in the galaxy disk is being entrained by the AGN wind. We derive molecular and ionized outflow masses of ∼5.2 × 107 M⊙ (αCOGalactic) and 8.5 × 104 M⊙ and molecular and ionized outflow mass rates of ∼51 M⊙ yr−1 (αCOGalactic) and 0.14 M⊙ yr−1, respectively. This means that the molecular phase dominates the outflow mass and outflow mass rate, while the kinetic power and momentum of the outflow are similar in both phases. However, the wind momentum loads (Ṗout/ṖAGN) for the molecular and ionized outflow phases are ∼27−5 (αCOGalactic and αCOULIRGs) and < 1, which suggests that the molecular phase is not momentum conserving, but the ionized phase most certainly is. The molecular gas content (Meast ∼ 1.5 × 107 M⊙; αCOGalactic) of the eastern spiral arm is approximately 50−70% of the content of the western one. We interpret this as destruction or clearing of the molecular gas produced by the AGN wind impacting in the eastern side of the host galaxy (negative feedback process). The increase in molecular phase momentum implies that part of the kinetic energy from the AGN wind is transmitted to the molecular outflow. This suggests that in Seyfert-like AGN such as NGC 5643, the radiative or quasar and the kinetic or radio AGN feedback modes coexist and may shape the host galaxies even at kiloparsec scales through both positive and (mild) negative feedback.

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Nuclear molecular outflow in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 3227

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201935431 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 628 ◽

pp. A65 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

A. Alonso-Herrero ◽

S. García-Burillo ◽

M. Pereira-Santaella ◽

R. I. Davies ◽

F. Combes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Large Scale ◽

Seyfert Galaxy ◽

Major Axis ◽

Continuum Emission ◽

Host Galaxy ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

Molecular Outflow ◽

Compact Torus ◽

The Galaxy ◽

Galaxy Disk

ALMA observations have revealed nuclear dusty molecular disks or tori with characteristic sizes 15−40 pc in the few Seyferts and low -luminosity AGN that have been studied so far. These structures are generally decoupled both morphologically and kinematically from the host galaxy disk. We present ALMA observations of the CO(2–1) and CO(3–2) molecular gas transitions and associated (sub-) millimeter continua of the nearby Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 3227 with angular resolutions 0.085 − 0.21″ (7–15 pc). On large scales, the cold molecular gas shows circular motions as well as streaming motions on scales of a few hundred parsecs that are associated with a large-scale bar. We fit the nuclear ALMA 1.3 mm emission with an unresolved component and an extended component. The 850 μm emission shows at least two extended components, one along the major axis of the nuclear disk, and the other along the axis of the ionization cone. The molecular gas in the central region (1″ ∼ 73 pc) shows several CO clumps with complex kinematics that appears to be dominated by noncircular motions. While we cannot conclusively demonstrate the presence of a warped nuclear disk, we also detected noncircular motions along the kinematic minor axis. They reach line-of-sight velocities of v − vsys = 150 − 200 km s−1. Assuming that the radial motions are in the plane of the galaxy, we interpret them as a nuclear molecular outflow due to molecular gas in the host galaxy that is entrained by the AGN wind. We derive molecular outflow rates of 5 M⊙ yr−1 and 0.6 M⊙ yr−1 at projected distances of up to 30 pc to the northeast and southwest of the AGN, respectively. At the AGN location we estimate a mass in molecular gas of 5 × 105 M⊙ and an equivalent average column density N(H2) = 2 − 3 × 1023 cm−2 in the inner 15 pc. The nuclear CO(2–1) and CO(3–2) molecular gas and submillimeter continuum emission of NGC 3227 do not resemble the classical compact torus. Rather, these emissions extend for several tens of parsecs and appear connected with the circumnuclear ring in the host galaxy disk, as found in other local AGN.

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ALMA Imaging of a Galactic Molecular Outflow in NGC 4945

The Astrophysical Journal ◽

10.3847/1538-4357/ac2c08 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 923 (1) ◽

pp. 83

Author(s):

Alberto D. Bolatto ◽

Adam K. Leroy ◽

Rebecca C. Levy ◽

David S. Meier ◽

Elisabeth A. C. Mills ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Kinematic Model ◽

Rotation Velocity ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

Ionized Gas ◽

Molecular Outflow ◽

The Galaxy ◽

Central Regions ◽

Outflow Rate ◽

Mass Outflow ◽

Galaxy Disk

Abstract We present the ALMA detection of molecular outflowing gas in the central regions of NGC 4945, one of the nearest starbursts and also one of the nearest hosts of an active galactic nucleus (AGN). We detect four outflow plumes in CO J = 3 − 2 at ∼0.″3 resolution that appear to correspond to molecular gas located near the edges of the known ionized outflow cone and its (unobserved) counterpart behind the disk. The fastest and brightest of these plumes has emission reaching observed line-of-sight projected velocities of over 450 km s−1 beyond systemic, equivalent to an estimated physical outflow velocity v ≳ 600 km s−1 for the fastest emission. Most of these plumes have corresponding emission in HCN or HCO+ J = 4 − 3. We discuss a kinematic model for the outflow emission where the molecular gas has the geometry of the ionized gas cone and shares the rotation velocity of the galaxy when ejected. We use this model to explain the velocities we observe, constrain the physical speed of the ejected material, and account for the fraction of outflowing gas that is not detected due to confusion with the galaxy disk. We estimate a total molecular mass outflow rate M ̇ mol ∼ 20 M ⊙ yr−1 flowing through a surface within 100 pc of the disk midplane, likely driven by a combination of the central starburst and AGN.

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The SINFONI survey of powerful radio galaxies at z ~ 2: Jet-driven AGN feedback during the Quasar Era

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201528040 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 599 ◽

pp. A123 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

N. P. H. Nesvadba ◽

C. De Breuck ◽

M. D. Lehnert ◽

P. N. Best ◽

C. Collet

Keyword(s):

Kinetic Energy ◽

Interstellar Medium ◽

Large Scale ◽

High Redshift ◽

Radio Galaxies ◽

Energy Output ◽

Host Galaxy ◽

Powerful Radio ◽

Massive Galaxies ◽

Gas Kinematics

We present VLT/SINFONI imaging spectroscopy of the rest-frame optical emission lines of warm ionized gas in 33 powerful radio galaxies at redshifts z ≳ 2, which are excellent sites to study the interplay of rapidly accreting active galactic nuclei and the interstellar medium of the host galaxy in the very late formation stages of massive galaxies. Our targets span two orders of magnitude in radio size (2−400 kpc) and kinetic jet energy (a few 1046– almost 1048 erg s-1). All sources have complex gas kinematics with broad line widths up to ~1300 km s-1. About half have bipolar velocity fields with offsets up to 1500 km s-1 and are consistent with global back-to-back outflows. The others have complex velocity distributions, often with multiple abrupt velocity jumps far from the nucleus of the galaxy, and are not associated with a major merger in any obvious way. We present several empirical constraints that show why gas kinematics and radio jets seem to be physically related in all galaxies of the sample. The kinetic energy in the gas from large scale bulk and local outflow or turbulent motion corresponds to a few 10-3 to 10-2 of the kinetic energy output of the radio jet. In galaxies with radio jet power ≳ 1047 erg s-1, the kinetic energy in global back-to-back outflows dominates the total energy budget of the gas, suggesting that bulk motion of outflowing gas encompasses the global interstellar medium. This might be facilitated by the strong gas turbulence, as suggested by recent analytical work. We compare our findings with recent hydrodynamic simulations, and discuss the potential consequences for the subsequent evolution of massive galaxies at high redshift. Compared with recent models of metal enrichment in high-z AGN hosts, we find that the gas-phase metallicities in our galaxies are lower than in most low-z AGN, but nonetheless solar or even super-solar, suggesting that the ISM we see in these galaxies is very similar to the gas from which massive low-redshift galaxies formed most of their stars. This further highlights that we are seeing these galaxies near the end of their active formation phase.

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Molecular and ionized gas kinematics in the GC Radio Arc

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union ◽

10.1017/s1743921316012242 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 (S322) ◽

pp. 133-136

Author(s):

N. Butterfield ◽

C.C. Lang ◽

E. A. C. Mills ◽

D. Ludovici ◽

J. Ott ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Star Formation ◽

Molecular Cloud ◽

Molecular Clouds ◽

Radio Continuum ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

The South ◽

Ionized Gas ◽

Molecular Emission ◽

Gas Kinematics

AbstractWe present NH3 and H64α+H63α VLA observations of the Radio Arc region, including the M0.20 – 0.033 and G0.10 – 0.08 molecular clouds. These observations suggest the two velocity components of M0.20 – 0.033 are physically connected in the south. Additional ATCA observations suggest this connection is due to an expanding shell in the molecular gas, with the centroid located near the Quintuplet cluster. The G0.10 – 0.08 molecular cloud has little radio continuum, strong molecular emission, and abundant CH3OH masers, similar to a nearby molecular cloud with no star formation: M0.25+0.01. These features detected in G0.10 – 0.08 suggest dense molecular gas with no signs of current star formation.

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Ionized gas in the NGC 5253 supernebula: high spatial and spectral resolution observations with the JVLA and TEXES

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society ◽

10.1093/mnras/staa1819 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 497 (2) ◽

pp. 1675-1683

Author(s):

Sara C Beck ◽

John Lacy ◽

Jean Turner ◽

Hauyu Baobab Liu ◽

Thomas Greathouse ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Spectral Resolution ◽

Large Scale ◽

Massive Star ◽

Dwarf Galaxy ◽

Data Cube ◽

Test Case ◽

Echelle Spectrograph ◽

Full Data ◽

Ionized Gas ◽

Very Large Array

ABSTRACT The youngest, closest, and most compact embedded massive star cluster known excites the supernebula in the nearby dwarf galaxy NGC 5253. It is a crucial target and test case for studying the birth and evolution of the most massive star clusters. We present observations of the ionized gas in this source with high spatial and spectral resolution. The data include continuum images of free–free emission with ≈0.15 arcsec resolution made with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) at 15, 22, and 33 GHz, and a full data cube of the [S iv] 10.5 μm fine-structure emission line with ≈4.5 km s−1 velocity resolution and 0.3 arcsec beam, obtained with the Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (TEXES) on Gemini North. We find that (1) the ionized gas extends out from the cluster in arms or jets, and (2) the ionized gas comprises two components offset both spatially and in velocity. We discuss mechanisms that may have created the observed velocity field; possibilities include large-scale jets or a subcluster falling on to the main source.

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Molecular outflow and feedback in the obscured quasar XID2028 revealed by ALMA

Astronomy and Astrophysics ◽

10.1051/0004-6361/201731641 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 612 ◽

pp. A29 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

M. Brusa ◽

G. Cresci ◽

E. Daddi ◽

R. Paladino ◽

M. Perna ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Host Galaxy ◽

Molecular Gas ◽

Test Case ◽

Feedback Effects ◽

Molecular Outflow ◽

The Galaxy ◽

Gas Consumption ◽

Massive Outflow ◽

Gas Component ◽

Fast Rotating

We imaged, with ALMA and ARGOS/LUCI, the molecular gas and dust and stellar continuum in XID2028, which is an obscured quasi-stellar object (QSO) at z = 1.593, where the presence of a massive outflow in the ionised gas component traced by the [OIII]5007 emission has been resolved up to 10 kpc. This target represents a unique test case to study QSO feedback in action at the peak epoch of AGN-galaxy co-evolution. The QSO was detected in the CO(5 − 4) transition and in the 1.3 mm continuum at ~30 and ~20σ significance, respectively; both emissions are confined in the central (<2 kpc) radius area. Our analysis suggests the presence of a fast rotating molecular disc (v ~ 400 km s−1) on very compact scales well inside the galaxy extent seen in the rest-frame optical light (~10 kpc, as inferred from the LUCI data). Adding available measurements in additional two CO transitions, CO(2 − 1) and CO(3 − 2), we could derive a total gas mass of ~1010 M⊙, thanks to a critical assessment of CO excitation and the comparison with the Rayleigh–Jeans continuum estimate. This translates into a very low gas fraction (<5%) and depletion timescales of 40–75 Myr, reinforcing the result of atypical gas consumption conditions in XID2028, possibly because of feedback effects on the host galaxy. Finally, we also detect the presence of high velocity CO gas at ~5σ, which we interpret as a signature of galaxy-scale molecular outflow that is spatially coincident with the ionised gas outflow. XID2028 therefore represents a unique case in which the measurement of total outflowing mass, of ~500–800 M⊙ yr−1 including the molecular and atomic components in both the ionised and neutral phases, was attempted for a high-z QSO.

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