Spatially resolved evidence of the impact of quasar-driven outflows on recent star formation: the case of Mrk 34

Bessiere, P. S.; Ramos Almeida, C.
Bibliographical reference

Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society

Advertised on:
5
2022
Number of authors
2
IAC number of authors
2
Citations
22
Refereed citations
19
Description
We present the results of our spatially resolved investigation into the interplay between the ages of the stellar populations and the kinematics of the warm ionized outflows in the well-studied type II quasar Markarian 34 (Mrk 34). Utilizing integral field spectroscopy data, we determine the spatial distribution of the young stellar population (YSP; tYSP < 100 Myr) using spectral synthesis modelling. We also employ the [O III] λ5007 emission line as a tracer of the warm ionized gas kinematics. We demonstrate a spatial correlation between the outer edges of the blue side of the outflow and an enhancement in the proportion of the YSP flux, suggesting that the outflow is responsible for triggering star formation in this region. In regions with more highly disrupted gas kinematics, we find that the proportion of YSP flux is consistent with that found outside the outflow region, suggesting that the increased disruption is preventing a similar enhancement in star formation from occurring. Our analysis suggests that Mrk 34 is an example of quasar-driven outflows simultaneously producing both 'positive' and 'preventive' feedback, further demonstrating the complex nature of the relationship between quasars and their host galaxies.
Related projects
Supermassive black holes modify the distribution of molecular gas in the central regions of galaxies. Credit: HST and C. Ramos Almeida.
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