Radio AGN in nearby dwarf galaxies: the important role of AGN in dwarf galaxy evolution
Abstract
We combine deep optical and radio data, from the Hyper Suprime-Cam and the Low-Frequency Array (LOFAR), respectively, to study 78 radio active galactic nuclei (AGN) in nearby (z < 0.5) dwarf galaxies. Comparison to a control sample, matched in stellar mass and redshift, indicates that the AGN and controls reside in similar environments, show similar star formation rates (which trace gas availability) and exhibit a comparable incidence of tidal features (which indicate recent interactions). We explore the AGN properties by combining the predicted gas conditions in dwarfs from a cosmological hydrodynamical simulation with a Monte Carlo suite of simulated radio sources, based on a semi-analytical model for radio-galaxy evolution. In the subset of LOFAR-detectable simulated sources, which have a similar distribution of radio luminosities as our observed AGN, the median jet powers, ages, and accretion rates are ∼1035 W, ∼5 Myr, and ∼10−3.4 M⊙ yr−1, respectively. The median mechanical energy output of these sources is ∼100 times larger than the median binding energy expected in dwarf gas reservoirs, making AGN feedback plausible. Since special circumstances (in terms of environment, gas availability, and interactions) are not necessary for the presence of AGN, and the central gas masses are predicted to be an order of magnitude larger than that required to fuel the AGN, AGN triggering in dwarfs is likely to be stochastic and a common phenomenon. Together with the plausibility of energetic feedback, this suggests that AGN could be important drivers of dwarf galaxy evolution, as is the case in massive galaxies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Feb 04, 2022
- Source ID
- 10.1093/mnras/stac068
Entities
People
- Daniel Smith
- F Davis
- Garreth Martin
- K Kraljic
- K Malek
- Liqiang Wang
- M Volonteri
- Martin J. Hardcastle
- R. A. JACKSON
- S Peirani
- Sugata Kaviraj
Organizations
- Aix-Marseille University
- Durham University
- Institut d'astrophysique de Paris
- Japan Science and Technology Agency
- Japan Society for the Promotion of Science
- Johns Hopkins University
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute
- Los Alamos National Laboratory
- National Astronomical Observatory of Japan
- National Centre for Nuclear Research
- National Research Foundation of Korea
- National Science Centre Poland
- SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
- Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
- Sorbonne University
- Space Telescope Science Institute
- University of Arizona
- University of Côte d'Azur
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Groningen
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Maryland
- University of Tokyo
- Yonsei University