Fast Ionized Outflows Detected in Candidate Dual AGN System MCG-03-34-64
Observations of the nearby galaxy MCG-03-34-64 using the VLT/ERIS instrument reveal two regions of fast-moving ionized gas with velocities up to 1,700 km/s, spatially aligned with the positions of two candidate active galactic nuclei separated by ~100 parsecs. The outflows show comparable masses and mass outflow rates, consistent with either being driven by the two nuclei individually or by interaction of a radio jet with the interstellar medium. The findings support the dual AGN scenario but require further observations to definitively confirm the system's nature.
Researchers analyzed near-infrared integral field spectroscopy of MCG-03-34-64, a nearby Seyfert galaxy at redshift z = 0.0167 hosting a candidate dual active galactic nuclei system. The observations revealed two distinct regions of enhanced velocity dispersion (~1,500 km/s) with blueshifted wings reaching maximum velocities of approximately -1,700 km/s, placing them among the fastest outflows observed in local AGN of comparable luminosity. Each outflow has an ionized gas mass of approximately 4×10⁵ solar masses with mass outflow rates of 20±5 solar masses per year. Analysis of coronal emission lines, particularly [Fe VII], suggests the outflows have lower dust content than the host galaxy's interstellar medium, indicating dust-poor outflow conditions. While the spatial coincidence of the two outflows with the candidate nuclei supports the dual AGN interpretation, the authors acknowledge that radio jet interaction with the ISM remains an alternative explanation.
What's missing
The study notes that further observations are required to definitively confirm whether the system is a true dual AGN or represents an alternative scenario. The paper does not discuss the timescale over which these outflows may persist or their potential impact on galaxy evolution.
What different sources said
- arXiv astro-phCenter
Fast, dust-poor outflows in the local candidate dual AGN MCG-03-34-64 observed with VLT/ERIS
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