The transition from galaxy-wide gas inflow to outflow in quasar host galaxies

Galactic-scale outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGNs) represent a commonly invoked feedback mechanism within galaxy evolution models. However, the interactions among interstellar gas on galactic scales, the propagation of AGN outflows, and the fundamental parameters of AGNs during their ev...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science China. Physics, mechanics & astronomy mechanics & astronomy, 2024-12, Vol.67 (12), p.129512, Article 129512
Main Authors: He, Zhicheng, Chen, Zhifu, Liu, Guilin, Wang, Tinggui, Ho, Luis C., Wang, Junxian, Bian, Weihao, Cai, Zheng, Mou, Guobin, Gu, Qiusheng, Wang, Zhiwen
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Active galactic nuclei
Astronomical models
Astronomy
Classical and Continuum Physics
Confidence intervals
Emission analysis
Galactic evolution
Galaxies
Inflow
Interstellar gas
Interstellar matter
Observations and Techniques
Outflow
Parameter identification
Physics
Physics and Astronomy
Quasars
Sky surveys (astronomy)
Spectrum analysis
Stars & galaxies
Velocity
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Summary:Galactic-scale outflows driven by active galactic nuclei (AGNs) represent a commonly invoked feedback mechanism within galaxy evolution models. However, the interactions among interstellar gas on galactic scales, the propagation of AGN outflows, and the fundamental parameters of AGNs during their evolutionary processes remain poorly understood. Notably, powerful nuclear outflows are typically associated with the early stages of AGN activity, which are characterized by high accretion rates and weak narrow emission lines. In our analysis of a sample of quasars hosting Mg ii narrow absorption lines (NALs) obtained from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, we identify a previously unobserved phenomenon wherein galaxy-scale inflow transitions to outflow dominance, concurrent with a notable increase in the strength of the narrow [O III] line, achieving a confidence level of 6.7 σ . This indicates that while nuclear outflows diminish, galaxy-wide outflows intensify as AGNs evolve. These findings suggest that early-stage outflows interact with the interstellar medium on a galactic scale, thereby facilitating a gradual transition to galaxy-wide outflows. This provides observational support for the hypothetical multi-stage propagation of AGN outflows that globally regulates galaxy evolution.
ISSN:1674-7348
1869-1927
DOI:10.1007/s11433-024-2475-7