arXiv subjects

Bruno Dall'Agnol de Oliveira

Publications and source records attributed to Bruno Dall'Agnol de Oliveira.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

The interplay between active galactic nucleus photoionization, radio jet, and star formation in the z $\sim$ 3.5 radio galaxy 4C +03.24

High-redshift radio galaxies (HzRGs) are among the most powerful radio sources, and are associated with the most massive galaxies and dense environments at redshifts z $\gtrsim$ 1. They are ideal laboratories for studying how active galactic nucleus (AGN) events can shape the evolution of galaxies, as intense radiation, jets, and star formation can be observed simultaneously in these galaxies. We present JWST/NIRSpec integral field spectroscopy ($\sim$ 1.6 kpc spatial resolution) of the 4C +03.24 system, a powerful HzRG at z $\sim$ 3.5 with a bolometric luminosity of $\sim 10^{47.6}$ erg s$^{-1}$. We identified kinematically disturbed regions in the warm ($\sim 10^4$ K) ionized gas by decomposing the emission-line spectra into multiple Gaussian components, which is crucial to avoid overestimating the outflow properties. The outflow power peaks at $\sim$ 2 kpc away from the nucleus, with a corresponding low kinetic coupling efficiency of $\sim 8_{-5}^{+7} \times 10^{-3}$ %. A combined analysis of the rest-frame optical and ultraviolet (from VLT/MUSE and HST imaging) continua revealed an extended emission (spanning $\sim$ 14 kpc), which we interpret as partially tracing star-forming regions. With a clearly delineated bipolar morphology, we show that the AGN photoionization dominates the ionization of the interstellar medium along the radio jet axis. The [C II]$λ$158$μ$m emission gap in this region might be direct evidence of negative AGN feedback. We also discuss a possible scenario where 4C +03.24 could be situated in an overdense environment experiencing multiple galaxy interactions and the possibility of jet-induced star-formation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

NGC 6860, Mrk 915, and MCG -01-24-012. II. Inflowing and outflowing cold molecular gas and the connection with ionized gas in Seyfert galaxies

We present a study of the cold molecular gas kinematics in the inner ~ 4-7 kpc (projected sizes) of three nearby Seyfert galaxies, with AGN luminosities of ~ 10$^{44}$ erg/s, using observations of the CO(2-1) emission line, obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) at ~ 0.5-0.8$^{\prime\prime}$ (~ 150-400 pc) spatial resolutions. After modeling the CO profiles with multiple Gaussian components, we detected regions with double-peak profiles that exhibit kinematics distinct from the dominant rotational motion. In NGC 6860, a molecular outflow surrounding the bipolar emission of the [O III] ionized gas is observed extending up to $R_{out}$ ~ 560 pc from the nucleus. There is evidence of molecular inflows along the stellar bar, although an alternative scenario, involving a decoupled rotation in a circumnuclear disk (CND) can also explain the observed kinematics. Mrk 915 shows double-peak CO profiles along one of its spiral arms. Due to its ambiguous disk orientation, part of the CO emission can be interpreted as a molecular gas inflow or an outflow reaching $R_{out}$ ~ 2.8 kpc. MCG -01-24-012 has double-peak profiles associated with a CND, perpendicular to the [O III] bipolar emission. The CO in the CND is rotating while outflowing within $R_{out}$ ~ 3 kpc, with the disturbances possibly being caused by the passage of the ionized gas outflow. Overall, the mass inflow rates are larger than the accretion rate needed to produce the observed luminosities, suggesting that only a fraction of the inflowing gas ends up feeding the central black holes. Although we found signatures of AGN feedback on the cold molecular phase, the mass outflow rates of ~ 0.09-3 M$_\odot$/yr indicate an overall weak impact at these AGN luminosities. Nonetheless, we may be witnessing the start of the depletion and ejection of the molecular gas reservoir that has accumulated over time.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2025

NGC 6860, Mrk 915 and MCG -01-24-012. I. Spatial anti-correlation between cold molecular and ionized gas distributions in Seyfert galaxies

We present a study of the cold molecular versus the ionized gas distribution in three nearby Seyfert galaxies: NGC 6860, Mrk 915 and MCG -01-24-012. To constrain the cold molecular flux distribution at $\sim$ 0.5 - 0.8$^{\prime\prime}$ ($\sim$ 150 - 400 pc) scales, we used data from the CO(2-1) emission line, obtained with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA). For the ionized gas, we used Hubble Space Telescope (HST) narrow-band images, centered on the [O III]$λλ$4959,5007 emission lines. Within the inner kiloparsec of the three galaxies, we observe gaps in the CO emission in regions co-spatial with the [O III] flux distribution, similarly to what has been recently observed in other active galaxies. From our original sample of 13 nearby AGN sources, 12 objects present the same trend. This indicates that CO molecules might be partially dissociated by AGN radiation or that there is a deficit of cold molecular gas on nuclear scales driven by ionized gas outflows/jets. If so, this represents a form of AGN feedback that is not captured when only outflow kinematics properties, such as mass outflow rates, are considered. We also discuss that part of the molecular gas might still be present in hotter H$_2$ phases, as observed already in other objects.

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arXiv2025

JWST + ALMA ubiquitously discover companion systems within $\lesssim18\,$kpc around four $z$$\approx$3.5 luminous radio-loud AGN

Mergers play important roles in galaxy evolution at and beyond Cosmic Noon ($z\sim3$). They are found to be a trigger of active galactic nuclei (AGN) activity and a process for growing stellar mass and black hole mass. High-$z$ radio galaxies (HzRGs=type-2 radio-loud AGN) are among the most massive galaxies known, and reside in dense environments on scales of tens of kiloparsecs to Megaparsecs. We present the first search for kpc-scale companions in a sample of four $z\sim3.5$ HzRGs, with many supporting datasets, using matched 0.2" resolution ALMA and JWST/NIRSpec integral field unit data. We discover a total of $\sim12$ companion systems within $\lesssim18\,$kpc across all four HzRG fields using two independent detection methods: peculiar [OIII]$4959,5007$ kinematics offset from the main (systemic) ionized gas component and [CII]$158\rm μm$ emitters. We examine the velocity fields of these companions and find evidence of disk rotation along with more complex motions. We estimate the dynamical masses of these nearby systems to be $M_{\rm dyn}\sim10^{9-11}\,M_{\odot}$, which may indicate a minor merger scenario. Our results indicate that these companions may be the trigger of the powerful radio-loud AGN. We discuss the roles of the discovered companion systems in galaxy evolution for these powerful jetted AGN and indicate that they may impede jet launch and deflect the jet.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

Nuclear activity in $z<0.3$ QSO 2's mainly triggered by galaxy mergers

We investigate the role of the close environment on the nuclear activity of a sample of 436 nearby ($z<0.3$) QSO 2's -- selected from SDSS-III spectra, via comparison of their environment and interaction parameters with those of a control sample of 1308 galaxies. We have used the corresponding SDSS images to obtain the number of neighbour galaxies $N$, tidal strength parameter $Q$ and asymmetry parameters. We find a small excess of $N$ in the QSOs compared to its three controls, and no difference in $Q$. The main difference is an excess of asymmetry in the QSOs hosts, which is almost twice that of the control galaxies. This difference is not due to the hosts' morphology, since there is no difference in their Galaxy Zoo classifications. HST images of two highly asymmetric QSO 2 hosts of our sample show that both sources have a close companion (at projected separations $\sim$ 5 kpc), which we thus conclude is the cause of the observed asymmetry in the lower resolution SDSS images. The mean projected radius of the controls is $ \langle r \rangle = 8.53\pm$0.06 kpc, while that of the QSO hosts is $ \langle r \rangle = 9.39\pm$0.12 kpc, supporting the presence of interaction signatures in the outer regions of the QSO hosts. Our results favour a scenario in which nuclear activity in QSO 2's is triggered by close galaxy interactions -- when the distance between the host and companion is of the order of the galaxy radius, implying that they are already in the process of merger.

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arXiv2023

Cold molecular gas outflow encasing the ionised one in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 3281

We present ALMA CO(2-1) observations of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 3281 at $\sim$ 100 pc spatial resolution. This galaxy was previously known to present a bi-conical ionised gas outflow extending to 2 kpc from the nucleus. The analysis of the CO moment and channel maps, as well as kinematic modelling reveals two main components in the molecular gas: one rotating in the galaxy plane and another outflowing and extending up to $\sim$ 1.8 -- 2.6 kpc from the nucleus, partially encasing the ionised component. The mass of the outflowing molecular gas component is $M_{\mathrm{mol},\mathrm{out}}$ = $(2.5\pm1.6){\times}10^{6}$ $\rm{M_{\odot}}$, representing $\sim$ 1.7 -- 2 % of the total molecular gas seen in emission within the inner 2.3 kpc. The corresponding mass outflow rate and power are $\dot{M}_{\mathrm{mol},\mathrm{out}}$ = 0.12 -- 0.72 $\rm{M_{\odot} yr^{-1}}$ and $\dot{E}_{\mathrm{mol},\mathrm{out}}$ = (0.045 -- 1.6) ${\times} 10^{40}$ $\rm{erg s^{-1}}$, which translates to a kinetic coupling efficiency with the AGN power of only $10^{-4}$ -- 0.02 %. This value reaches up to 0.1 % when including both the feedback in the ionised and molecular gas, as well as considering that only part of the energy couples kinetically with the gas. Some of the non-rotating CO emission can also be attributed to inflow in the galaxy plane towards the nucleus. The similarity of the CO outflow -- encasing the ionised gas one and the X-ray emission -- to those seen in other sources, suggests that this may be a common property of galactic outflows.

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arXiv2021

Interactions between the large-scale radio structures and the gas in a sample of optically selected type 2 quasars

The role of radio mode feedback in non radio-loud quasars needs to be explored in depth to determine its true importance. Its effects can be identified based on the evidence of interactions between the radio structures and the ambient ionised gas. We investigate this in a sample of 13 optically selected type-2 quasars (QSO2) at z<0.2 with FIRST radio detections. None are radio loud. All show complex optical morphologies, with signs of distortion across tens of kpc due to mergers/interactions. The radio luminosity has an AGN component in 11/13 QSO2. It is spatially extended in 9 of them (jets/lobes/bubbles/other). The maximum sizes are in the range few kpc to ~500 kpc. Evidence for radio-gas interactions exist in 10/13 QSO2; that is, all but one with confirmed AGN radio components. The interactions are identified across different spatial scales, from the nuclear narrow line region up to tens of kpc from the AGN. Large scale low/modest power radio sources can exist in radio-quiet QSO2, which can provide a source of feedback on scales of the spheroidal component of galaxies and well into the circumgalactic medium in systems where radiative mode feedback is expected to dominate.

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arXiv2018

Bipolar ionization cones in the Extended Narrow-Line Region of nearby QSO2s

We have used narrow-band [OIII]$λλ$4959,5007 and H$α$+[NII]$λ\lambda6548,84$ Hubble Space Telescope (HST) images of 9 luminous (L[OIII]$>10^{42}$erg s$^{-1}$) type 2 QSOs with redshifts $0.1<z<0.5$ in order to constrain the geometry of their Extended Narrow-Line Regions (ENLR), as recent ground-based studies suggest these regions become more spherical at high luminosities due to destruction of the torus. We find instead elongated ENLRs reaching 4 to 19 kpc from the nucleus and bipolar ionization cones in [OIII]/(H$α$+[NII]) excitation maps indicating that the torus survives these luminosities, allowing the escape of $\approx$10 times higher ionizing photon rates along the ionization axis than perpendicularly to it. The exceptional HST angular resolution was key to our success in arriving at these conclusions. Combining our measurements with previous ones based on similar HST data, we have revisited the relation between the ENLR radius R$_{maj}$ (in pc) and L[OIII] (in erg s$^{-1}$) over the range $39<$log(L[OIII])$<43.5$: log(R$_{maj}) = (0.51\pm0.03)$ log(L[OIII])$-18.12\pm0.98$. The radius of the ENLR keeps increasing with L[OIII] in our data, implying that the ENLR can extend to distances beyond the limit of the galaxy if gas is present there $-$ e.g. from AGN outflows or interactions, seen in 6 objects of our sample. We attribute the flattening previously seen in this relation to the fact that the ENLR is matter-bounded, meaning that ionizing photons usually escape to the intergalactic medium in luminous AGN. Estimated ionized gas masses of the ENLRs range from 0.3 to $2\times10^8$ M$_{\odot}$, and estimated powers for associated outflows range from $<0.1\%$ to a few percent of the QSO luminosity.

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