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Detection of a high brightness temperature radio core in the AGN-driven molecular outflow candidate NGC 1266

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 May 2014

K. Nyland
Affiliation:
New Mexico Tech, Socorro, USA.
K. Alatalo
Affiliation:
University of California, Berkeley, USA California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, USA
J. M. Wrobel
Affiliation:
NRAO, Socorro, USA
L. M. Young
Affiliation:
New Mexico Tech, Socorro, USA.
R. Morganti
Affiliation:
ASTRON, Dwingeloo, The Netherlands University of Groningen, The Netherlands
T. A. Davis
Affiliation:
ESO, Garching, Germany
P. T. de Zeeuw
Affiliation:
ESO, Garching, Germany Leiden University, The Netherlands
S. Deustua
Affiliation:
STScI, Baltimore, USA
M. Bureau
Affiliation:
University of Oxford, UK
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Abstract

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We present new Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) Hi absorption and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) continuum observations of the active galactic nucleus (AGN)-driven molecular outflow candidate NGC 1266. Although other well-known systems with molecular outflows may be driven by star formation in a central molecular disk, the molecular mass outflow rate reported in Alatalo et al. (2011) in NGC 1266 of 13 M year−1 exceeds star formation rate estimates from a variety of tracers. This suggests that an additional energy source, such as an AGN, may play a significant role in powering the outflow. Our high spatial resolution Hi absorption data reveal compact absorption against the radio continuum core co-located with the putative AGN, and the presence of a blueshifted spectral component re-affirms that gas is indeed flowing out of the system. Our VLBA observations at 1.65 GHz reveal one continuum source within the densest portion of the molecular gas, with a diameter d < 8 mas (1.2 pc), a radio power Prad = 1.48 × 1020 W Hz−1, and a brightness temperature Tb > 1.5 × 107 K that is most consistent with an AGN origin. The radio continuum energetics implied by the compact VLBA source, as well as archival VLA continuum observations at lower spatial resolution, further support the possibility that the AGN in NGC 1266 could be driving the molecular outflow. These findings suggest that even low-level AGNs, with supermassive black hole masses similar to Sgr A*, may be able to launch massive outflows in their host galaxies.

Type
Contributed Papers
Copyright
Copyright © International Astronomical Union 2014 

References

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