Bibcode
Villar-Martín, M.; Cabrera-Lavers, A.; Humphrey, A.; Silva, M.; Ramos Almeida, C.; Piqueras-López, J.; Emonts, B.
Bibliographical reference
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, Volume 474, Issue 2, p.2302-2312
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2
2018
Citations
23
Refereed citations
21
Description
We report the discovery of an ˜100 kpc ionized nebula associated
with the radio-quiet type 2 quasar (QSO2) nicknamed the `Teacup' (z =
0.085). The giant nebula is among the largest known around active
galaxies at any z. We propose that it is part of the circumgalactic
medium (CGM) of the QSO2 host, which has been populated with tidal
debris by galactic interactions. This rich gaseous medium has been
rendered visible due to the illumination by the powerful active nucleus
(AGN). Subsolar abundances (˜0.5 Z⊙) are
tentatively favoured by AGN photoionization models. We also report the
detection of coronal emission (Fe+6) from the NE bubble, at
˜9 kpc from the AGN. The detection of coronal lines at such large
distances from the AGN and the [N II] λ6583/Hα, [S II]
λλ6716,6731/Hα, [O I] λ6300/Hα optical
emission-line ratios of the giant nebula are consistent with the fading
quasar scenario proposed by Gagne et al. The fading rate appears to have
been faster in the last ˜46 000 yr. Deep wide field integral field
spectroscopy of giant nebulae around powerful AGN such as the `Teacup's'
with instruments such as MUSE on VLT opens up a way to detect and study
the elusive material from the CGM around massive active galaxies thanks
to the illumination by the luminous AGN.
Related projects
Nuclear Activity in Galaxies: a 3D Perspective from the Nucleus to the Outskirts
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
Cristina
Ramos Almeida