The Black Hole-Galaxy Connection: Interplay between Feedback, Obscuration, and Host Galaxy Substructure

Stéphanie Juneau, Andy D. Goulding, Julie Banfield, Stefano Bianchi, Pierre Alain Duc, I. Ting Ho, Michael A. Dopita, Julia Scharwächter, Franz E. Bauer, Brent Groves, David M. Alexander, Rebecca L. Davies, David Elbaz, Emily Freeland, Elise Hampton, Lisa J. Kewley, Robert Nikutta, Prajval Shastri, Xinwen Shu, Frédéric P.A. VogtTao Wang, O. Ivy Wong, Jong Hak Woo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

There is growing evidence for physical influence between supermassive black holes and their host galaxies. We present a case study of the nearby galaxy NGC 7582, for which we find evidence that galactic substructure plays an important role in affecting the collimation of ionized outflows as well as contributing to the heavy active galactic nucleus (AGN) obscuration. This result contrasts with a simple, small-scale AGN torus model, according to which AGN-wind collimation may take place inside the torus itself, at subparsec scales. Using 3D spectroscopy with the Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer instrument, we probe the kinematics of the stellar and ionized gas components as well as the ionization state of the gas from a combination of emission-line ratios. We report for the first time a kinematically distinct core (KDC) in NGC 7582, on a scale of ∼600 pc. This KDC coincides spatially with dust lanes and starbursting complexes previously observed. We interpret it as a circumnuclear ring of stars and dusty, gas-rich material. We obtain a clear view of the outflowing cones over kiloparsec scales and demonstrate that they are predominantly photoionized by the central engine. We detect the back cone (behind the galaxy) and confirm previous results of a large nuclear obscuration of both the stellar continuum and H ii regions. While we tentatively associate the presence of the KDC with a large-scale bar and/or a minor galaxy merger, we stress the importance of gaining a better understanding of the role of galaxy substructure in controlling the fueling, feedback, and obscuration of AGNs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number203
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume925
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 1 2022

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The Black Hole-Galaxy Connection: Interplay between Feedback, Obscuration, and Host Galaxy Substructure'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this