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D. Michael Crenshaw

Publications and source records attributed to D. Michael Crenshaw.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

On the Tully-Fisher Relation for Active Galaxies -- I: Evidence of Larger Scatter

We present an investigation of the Tully-Fisher (TF) relation solely for galaxies hosting an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Using 22 galaxies with primary, z-independent distances, we find that active galaxies exhibit significantly larger scatter about all TF relations compared to each respective calibration for (largely) inactive galaxies. The larger scatter persists despite removal of the AGN contamination from the photometry of the Type 1 AGNs via 1) careful surface brightness decompositions or 2) employing SEDs to constrain the light contribution of the AGN. These results suggest that the influence of an AGN on its host galaxy's surface brightness may extend beyond the nucleus. We also calculate the percentage difference between TF and primary distances, and find that TF-based distances are biased towards overestimation of the primary distances to active galaxies by anywhere from 5-10 percent for the optical/near-infrared and approximately 15 percent for distances predicted from inverting the Baryonic TF (BTF) relation. As TF-based distances (especially the I-band) are relied on heavily for analysis and modeling of the local peculiar velocity (Vpec) field, we suggest that active galaxies be removed from future Vpec modeling samples.

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An Analysis of AGN Feedback in the Compact Galaxy Group Stephan's Quintet

Compact galaxy groups are ideal laboratories for studying the effects of interactions between AGN and multiple nearby galaxies. Recent JWST observations of the nearby compact group Stephan's Quintet highlight tidal flows between the interacting galaxies as well as outflows from the active galaxy NGC 7319. To study the kinematics on a large scale throughout the group, we obtained spatially-resolved long-slit spectra of Stephan's Quintet at multiple slit positions with Apache Point Observatory's Kitt Peak Ohio State Multi-Object Spectrograph. We fit multiple Gaussians to the H$α$ $λ$6563 Å and [N II] $λλ$6548, 6583 Å emission lines to isolate the different kinematic components. We used the kinematics to develop the first biconical outflow model of the narrow-line region of NGC 7319. Using a combination of galactic rotation models, biconical outflow models, and kinematic maps of the ionized gas, we disentangled the outflows, rotation, and tidal flows in the group. We found outflow radial velocities up to 550 km s$^{-1}$ peaking at 2.6 kpc from the central supermassive black hole, and a transition from AGN-powered outflows to gravitationally-powered tidal flows at a projected distance between 2.4 -- 6.3 kpc. We performed a line ratio analysis and determined the gas shows Seyfert-like ionization out to 6.3 kpc (projected), which supports our finding that gas outside this radius is predominantly powered by tidal flows. Our separation of kinematic components in Stephan's Quintet will enable future studies of the physical conditions and dynamical forces in the ionized gas to better quantify the feeding and feedback processes of AGN in compact groups.

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Spatially Resolved, Multiphase Mass Outflows of the Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 3227

We present spatially resolved mass outflow rates of the ionized and molecular gas in the narrow line region of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3227. Using long-slit spectroscopy and [O III] imaging from from Hubble Space Telescope's Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and Apache Point Observatory's Kitt Peak Ohio State Multi-Object Spectrograph, in conjunction with Cloudy photoionization models and emission line diagnostics, we find a peak ionized mass outflow rate of $\dot M_{\text{ion}} =$ $19.9\pm9.2$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ at a distance of $47\pm6$ pc from the supermassive black hole (SMBH). Using archival data from the Gemini-North Near-infrared Field Spectrograph measuring H$_2$ $\lambda2.1218$ $μ$m emission, we find a maximum peak warm molecular outflow rate of $\dot M_{\mathrm{H_2}} \le 9 \times 10^{-4}$ M$_\odot$ yr$^{-1}$ at a distance of $36\pm6$ pc from the SMBH. Using archival data from the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array measuring CO(2-1) emission, we find a maximum peak cold molecular gas mass outflow rate of $\dot M_{\mathrm{CO}} \le$ $23.1$ M$_\odot$ year$^{-1}$ at a distance of $57\pm6$ pc from the SMBH. For the first time, we calculate spatially resolved gas evacuation timescales for the cold molecular gas reservoirs ostensibly sourcing the outflows, and find that evacuating gas to $\sim$400 pc from the SMBH occurs on timescales of $10^{6.0} - 10^{7.6}$ years. These results indicate that the multi-phase AGN outflows are effective in clearing the inner few hundred parsecs of NGC 3227's gas content on timescales that may set the AGN duty cycle of $10^5 - 10^8$ years.

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The Shape of AGN-Driven Winds in the Seyfert Galaxy NGC 3516

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) are known to drive ionized gas into their host galaxies, which may affect the evolution of both the central supermassive black holes and their hosts. In the case of NGC 3516, a nearby Seyfert 1 galaxy, these AGN winds have historically proven difficult to disentangle from galactic rotation. Using long slit spectroscopy at multiple position angles from the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph and the Apache Point Observatory Kitt Peak Ohio State Multi Object Spectrograph, we separate these kinematic components by fitting multiple Gaussians to the Hα, N II, Hβ, and O III emission lines along the slits. We present a biconical outflow model that agrees well with the observed kinematics of the outflowing gas in the narrow-line region (NLR). Our results indicate that the structure of the O III emission is explained by dusty gas spirals in the galactic disk that are illuminated by the ionizing bicone, which is viewed along one edge, resulting in the complex nuclear kinematics. Our view into the bicone edge is consistent with the multiple, deep components of ionized absorption lines seen in UV and X-ray spectra of NGC 3516. The observed turnover in the velocity of the NLR clouds matches that from a simple dynamical model of radiative acceleration by the AGN and gravitational deceleration by the AGN and galaxy, indicating they are the principal forces at work on the gas clouds. Finally, the model launch radii indicate that the outflowing clouds originate primarily from the inner dusty spirals near the AGN.

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Quantifying Feedback from Narrow Line Region Outflows in Nearby Active Galaxies. V. The Expanded Sample

We present spatially-resolved measurements of the ionized gas masses and mass outflow rates for six low-redshift ($z \leq$ 0.02) active galaxies. In this study, we expand our sample to galaxies with more complex gas kinematics modeled as outflows along a galactic disk that is ionized by the active galactic nucleus (AGN) bicone. We use Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) spectroscopy, Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) narrow-band imaging, and the photoionization modeling technique that we developed in Revalski et al. (2022) to calculate ionized gas masses using the [O III]/H$β$ ratios at each radius. We combine these with existing kinematic models to derive mass and energy outflow rates, which exhibit substantial radial variations due to changes in the outflow velocities. The full sample of 12 galaxies from this series of studies spans 10$^3$ in bolometric luminosity, and we find that the outflows contain ionized gas masses of $M \approx 10^{4.6} - 10^{7.2}$ $M_{\odot}$, reach maximum mass outflow rates of $\dot M_{out} \approx 0.1 - 13$ $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$, and encompass kinetic energies of $E \approx 10^{52} - 10^{56}$ erg. These energetic properties positively correlate with AGN luminosity. The outflow energetics are less than benchmarks for effective feedback from theoretical models, but the evacuation of gas and injection of energy may still generate long term effects on star-formation in these nearby galaxies. These results highlight the necessity of high spatial resolution imaging and spectroscopy for accurately modeling ionized outflows in active galaxies.

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Determining the Extents, Geometries, and Kinematics of Narrow-Line Region Outflows in Nearby Seyfert Galaxies

Outflowing gas from supermassive black holes in the centers of active galaxies has been postulated as a major contributor to galactic evolution. To explore the interaction between narrow-line region (NLR) outflows and their host galaxies, we use Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) spectra and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) images of 15 nearby (z < 0.02) active galactic nuclei (AGN) to determine the extents and geometries of their NLRs. We combine new HST WFC3 continuum and [O III] $λ$5007A images of 11 AGN with 4 archival AGN to match existing spectra from HST STIS. For the 6 AGN with suitable long-slit coverage of their NLRs, we use isophotal fitting of ground-based images, continuum-subtracted [O III] images, and the STIS spectra, to resolve, measure, and de-project the gas kinematics to the plane of the host galaxy disk and distinguish NLR outflows from galaxy rotation and/or kinematically disturbed gas. We find an average [O III] extent of $\sim$680pc with a correlation between gas extent and [O III] luminosity of R$_\mathrm{[O III]}$ $\propto$ L$_{\text{[O III]}}^{0.39}$. The measured extents depend strongly on the depth of the [O III] images, highlighting the importance of adopting uniform thresholds when analyzing scaling relationships. The outflows reach from 39-88% of the full NLR extents, and we find that all 6 of the AGN with STIS coverage of their entire NLRs show strong kinematic evidence for outflows, despite previous uncertainty for these AGN. This suggests that NLR outflows are ubiquitous in moderate luminosity AGN and that standard criteria for kinematic modeling are essential for identifying outflows.

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An Analysis of AGN-Driven Outflows in the Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 3227

We have characterized the ionized, neutral, and warm molecular gas kinematics in the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3227 using observations from the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph, Apache Point Observatory's Kitt Peak Ohio State Multi-Object Spectrograph, Gemini-North's Near-Infrared Integral Field Spectrometer, and the Atacama Large Millimeter Array. We fit multiple Gaussians to several spatially-resolved emission lines observed with long-slit and integral-field spectroscopy and isolate the kinematics based on apparent rotational and outflowing motions. We use the kinematics to determine an orientation for the bicone along which the outflows travel, and find that the biconical structure has an inclination of $40 ^{+5}_{-4}$° from our line of sight, and a half-opening angle with an inner and outer boundary of $47 ^{+6}_{-2}$° and $68 ^{+1}_{-1}$°, respectively. We observe ionized outflows traveling 500 km s$^{-1}$ at distances up to 7$''$ (800 pc) from the SMBH, and disturbed ionized gas up to a distance of 15$''$ (1.7 kpc). Our analysis reveals that the ionized outflows are launched from within 20 pc of the SMBH, at the same location as a bridge of cold gas across the nucleus detected in ALMA CO(2-1) observations. We measure a turnover radius where the gas starts decelerating at a distance of $26 \pm 6$ pc from the AGN. Compared to a turnover radius in the range of $31- 63$ pc from a radiative driving model, we confirm that radiative driving is the dominant acceleration mechanism for the narrow line region (NLR) outflows in NGC 3227.

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No Small Scale Radio Jets Here: Multi-Epoch Observations of Radio Continuum Structures in NGC 1068 with the VLBA

We present recent Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) 5 GHz radio observations of the nearby, luminous Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 1068 for comparison to similar VLBA observations made on 1997 April 26. By cross-correlating the positions of emitting regions across both epochs, we find that spatially-resolved extra-nuclear radio knots in this system have sub-relativistic transverse speeds (v < 0.1c). We discuss sources of the observed knots and how the radio emission relates to additional phases of gas in the central ~150 pcs of this system. We suggest that the most likely explanation for the observed emission is synchrotron radiation formed by shocked host media via interactions between AGN winds and the host environment.

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A UFO Seen Edge-On: Resolving Ultrafast Outflow Emission on $\sim$200-pc Scales with $Chandra$ in the Active Nucleus of Mrk 34

We present $Chandra$ ACIS imaging spectroscopy of the nucleus of the Seyfert 2 Galaxy Mrk 34. We identify spatially and spectrally resolved features in the band that includes Fe K$α$, Fe XXV and Fe XXVI. These features indicate high-velocity ($\gtrsim15,000\,\rm{km\,s}^{-1}$ line-of-sight) material separated spanning $\sim$0.5 arcsec, within $\sim200$ pc of the nucleus. This outflow could have deprojected velocities $\sim12-28\times$ greater than the [O III] emitting outflows, and could potentially dominate the kinetic power in the outflow. This emission may point to the origins of the optical and X-ray winds observed at larger radii, and could indicate a link between ultra-fast outflows and AGN feedback on $\gtrsim$kpc scales.

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Investigating the Narrow Line Region Dynamics in Nearby Active Galaxies

We present dynamical models of the narrow line region (NLR) outflows in the nearby Seyfert galaxies Mrk 3, Mrk 78, NGC 1068, and NGC 4151 using observations from the Hubble Space Telescope and Apache Point Observatory. We employ long-slit spectroscopy to map the spatially-resolved outflow and rotational velocities of the ionized gas. We also perform surface brightness decompositions of host galaxy images to constrain the enclosed stellar mass distributions as functions of distance from the supermassive black holes (SMBHs). Assuming that the NLR gas is accelerated by AGN radiation pressure, and subsequently decelerated by the host galaxy and SMBH gravitational potentials, we derive outflow velocity profiles where the gas is launched in situ at multiple distances from the SMBH. We find a strong correlation between the turnover (from acceleration to deceleration) radii from our models, with the turnovers seen in the observed velocities and spatially-resolved mass outflow rates for the AGN with bolometric luminosities $>$ 10$^{44}$ erg sec$^{-1}$. This consistency indicates that radiation pressure is the dominant driving mechanism behind the NLR outflows in these moderate-luminosity AGN, with a force multiplier $\sim$500 yielding the best agreement between the modeled and observed turnover radii. However, in Meena2021 we found that this trend may not hold at lower luminosities, where our modeled turnover distance for NGC 4051 is much smaller than in the observed kinematics. This result may indicate that either additional force(s) are responsible for accelerating the NLR outflows in low-luminosity AGN, or higher spatial resolution observations are required to quantify their turnover radii.

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Quantifying Feedback from Narrow Line Region Outflows in Nearby Active Galaxies. IV. The Effects of Different Density Estimates on the Ionized Gas Masses and Outflow Rates

Active galactic nuclei (AGN) can launch outflows of ionized gas that may influence galaxy evolution, and quantifying their full impact requires spatially resolved measurements of the gas masses, velocities, and radial extents. We previously reported these quantities for the ionized narrow-line region (NLR) outflows in six low-redshift AGN, where the gas velocities and extents were determined from Hubble Space Telescope long-slit spectroscopy. However, calculating the gas masses required multi-component photoionization models to account for radial variations in the gas densities, which span $\sim$6 orders of magnitude. In order to simplify this method for larger samples with less spectral coverage, we compare these gas masses with those calculated from techniques in the literature. First, we use a recombination equation with three different estimates for the radial density profiles. These include constant densities, those derived from [S II], and power-law profiles based on constant values of the ionization parameter ($U$). Second, we use single-component photoionization models with power-law density profiles based on constant $U$, and allow $U$ to vary with radius based on the [O III]/H$β$ ratios. We find that assuming a constant density of $n_\mathrm{H} =$ 10$^2$ cm$^{-3}$ overestimates the gas masses for all six outflows, particularly at small radii where the outflow rates peak. The use of [S II] marginally matches the total gas masses, but also overestimates at small radii. Overall, single-component photoionization models where $U$ varies with radius are able to best match the gas mass and outflow rate profiles when there are insufficient emission lines to construct detailed models.

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Radiative Driving of the AGN Outflows in the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 4051

We explore the properties of ionized gas in the nuclear and circumnuclear environment of the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4051 using spectroscopic and imaging observations from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Apache Point Observatory (APO)'s ARC 3.5m Telescope. We identify an unresolved moderate-density intermediate width component and a high-density broad component in the optical emission lines from the active nucleus, as well as spatially-resolved emission extending up to $\sim$1 kpc in the AGN ionized narrow-line region (NLR) and $\sim$8 kpc in the stellar ionized host galaxy. The HST narrow-band image reveals a distinct conical structure in [O III] emission towards the NE, and the ionized gas kinematics shows up to two blueshifted velocity components, indicating outflows along the edges of a cone. We introduce an improved model of biconical outflow, with our line of sight passing through the wall of the cone, which suggests that the large number of outflowing UV absorbers seen in NGC 4051 are NLR clouds in absorption. Using the de-projection factors from the biconical geometry, we measure true outflow velocities up to 680 km s$^{-1}$ at a distance of $\sim$350 pc, however, we do not find any rotational signature inside a projected distance $\leq$ 10'' ($\sim$800 pc) from the nucleus. We compare the gas kinematics with analytical models based on a radiation-gravity formalism, which show that most of the observed NLR outflows are launched within $\sim$0.5 pc of the nucleus and can travel up to $\sim$1 kpc from this low-luminosity AGN.

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Quantifying Feedback from Narrow Line Region Outflows in Nearby Active Galaxies. III. Results for the Seyfert 2 Galaxies Markarian 3, Markarian 78, and NGC 1068

Outflows of ionized gas driven by active galactic nuclei (AGN) may significantly impact the evolution of their host galaxies. However, determining the energetics of these outflows is difficult with spatially unresolved observations that are subject to strong global selection effects. We present part of an ongoing study using Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and Apache Point Observatory (APO) spectroscopy and imaging to derive spatially-resolved mass outflow rates and energetics for narrow line region (NLR) outflows in nearby AGN that are based on multi-component photoionization models to account for spatial variations in the gas ionization, density, abundances, and dust content. This expanded analysis adds Mrk 3, Mrk 78, and NGC 1068, doubling the sample in Revalski (2019). We find that the outflows contain total ionized gas masses of $M \approx 10^{5.5} - 10^{7.5}$ $M_{\odot}$ and reach peak velocities of $v \approx 800 - 2000$ km s$^{-1}$. The outflows reach maximum mass outflow rates of $\dot M_{out} \approx 3 - 12$ $M_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ and encompass total kinetic energies of $E \approx 10^{54} - 10^{56}$ erg. The outflows extend to radial distances of $r \approx 0.1 - 3$ kpc from the nucleus, with the gas masses, outflow energetics, and radial extents positively correlated with AGN luminosity. The outflow rates are consistent with in-situ ionization and acceleration where gas is radiatively driven at multiple radii. These radial variations indicate that spatially-resolved observations are essential for localizing AGN feedback and determining the most accurate outflow parameters.

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A Dissection of Spatially Resolved AGN Feedback across the Electromagnetic Spectrum

We present optical SuperNova Integral Field Spectrograph (SNIFS) integral field spectroscopy, Hubble Space Telescope optical imaging, Chandra X-ray imaging, and Very Large Array radio interferometry of the merging galaxy 2MASX J04234080+0408017, which hosts a Seyfert 2 active galactic nucleus (AGN) at z = 0.046. Our observations reveal that radiatively driven, ionized gas outflows are successful to distances > 10 kpc due to the low mass of the host system, encompassing the entirety of the observed optical emission. We also find that at large radii, where observed velocities cannot be reproduced by radiative driving models, high velocity kinematics are likely due to mechanical driving from AGN winds impacting high density host material. This impacting deposits sufficient energy to shock the host material, producing thermal X-ray emission and cosmic rays, which in turn promote the formation of in situ radio structure in a pseudo-jet morphology along the high density lanes.

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Evolution of the Outflows in NGC 3516

We analyze the 2011 HST/COS spectrum of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3516, which demonstrates clear changes in one of the intrinsic absorption troughs (component 5), slight evidence of change in a second trough (component 6), and the appearance of a new absorption trough (component 9). We interpret both the changes and the appearance of the new trough as bulk motion across the line of sight. The implied lower limit on the transverse velocity of component 5 is 360 km/s, compared to the earlier 2001 HST/STIS spectrum, while the lower limits for components 6 and 9 are 920 km/s, based on 2009 FUSE data. Component 5 also exhibits a shift in velocity centroid. This is only the second known case of this behavior in a Seyfert galaxy. Due to the high quality of the HST/COS spectrum, we identify a previously undetected trough due to an excited state of Si II for component 1. In combination with the resonance trough of Si II and photoionization modeling, we directly determine the distance of the component 1 outflow to be 67.2 pc.

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BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey I: Spectral Measurements, Derived Quantities, and AGN Demographics

We present the first catalog and data release of the Swift-BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS). We analyze optical spectra of the majority of AGN (77%, 641/836) detected based on their 14-195 keV emission in the 70-month Swift BAT all-sky catalog. This includes redshift determination, absorption and emission line measurements, and black hole mass and accretion rate estimates for the majority of obscured and un-obscured AGN (74%, 473/641) with 340 measured for the first time. With ~90% of sources at z<0.2, the survey represents a significant census of hard-X-ray selected AGN in the local universe. In this first catalog paper, we describe the spectroscopic observations and datasets, and our initial spectral analysis. The FWHM of the emission lines show broad agreement with the X-ray obscuration (~94%), such that Sy 1-1.8 have NH<10^21.9 cm^-2, and Seyfert 2, have NH>10^21.9 cm^-2. Seyfert 1.9 show a range of column densities. Compared to narrow line AGN in the SDSS, the X-ray selected AGN have a larger fraction of dusty host galaxies suggesting these types of AGN are missed in optical surveys. Using the most sensitive [OIII]/Hbeta and [NII]/Halpha emission line diagnostic, about half of the sources are classified as Seyferts, ~15% reside in dusty galaxies that lack an Hbeta detection, but for which the line upper limits imply either a Seyfert or LINER, ~15% are in galaxies with weak or no emission lines despite high quality spectra, and a few percent each are LINERS, composite galaxies, HII regions, or in known beamed AGN.

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Gemini Near Infrared Field Spectrograph Observations of the Seyfert 2 Galaxy Mrk 573: In Situ Acceleration of Ionized and Molecular Gas Off Fueling Flows

We present near-infrared and optical emission-line and stellar kinematics of the Seyfert 2 galaxy Mrk 573 using the Near-Infrared Field Spectrograph (NIFS) at Gemini North and Dual Imaging Spectrograph (DIS) at Apache Point Observatory, respectively. By obtaining full kinematic maps of the infrared ionized and molecular gas and stellar kinematics in a 700 x 2100 pc^2 circumnuclear region of Mrk 573, we find that kinematics within the Narrow-Line Region (NLR) are largely due to a combination of both rotation and in situ acceleration of material originating in the host disk. Combining these observations with large-scale, optical long-slit spectroscopy that traces ionized gas emission out to several kpcs, we find that rotation kinematics dominate the majority of the gas. We find that outflowing gas extends to distances less than 1 kpc, suggesting that outflows in Seyfert galaxies may not be powerful enough to evacuate their entire bulges.

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BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey-III. An observed link between AGN Eddington ratio and narrow emission line ratios

We investigate the observed relationship between black hole mass ($M_{\rm BH}$), bolometric luminosity ($L_{\rm bol}$), and Eddington ratio ($λ_{\rm Edd}$) with optical emission line ratios ([NII] λ6583/Hα, [SII] λλ6716,6731/Hα, [OI] λ6300/Hα, [OIII] λ5007/Hβ, [NeIII] λ3869/Hβ, and HeII λ4686/Hβ) of hard X-ray-selected AGN from the BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS). We show that the [NII] λ6583/Hα ratio exhibits a significant correlation with $λ_{\rm Edd}$ ($R_{\rm Pear}$ = -0.44, $p$-value=$3\times10^{-13}$, σ = 0.28 dex), and the correlation is not solely driven by $M_{\rm BH}$ or $L_{\rm bol}$. The observed correlation between [NII] λ6583/Hα ratio and $M_{\rm BH}$ is stronger than the correlation with $L_{\rm bol}$, but both are weaker than the $λ_{\rm Edd}$ correlation. This implies that the large-scale narrow lines of AGN host galaxies carry information about the accretion state of the AGN central engine. We propose that the [NII] λ6583/Hα is a useful indicator of Eddington ratio with 0.6 dex of rms scatter, and that it can be used to measure $λ_{\rm Edd}$ and thus $M_{\rm BH}$ from the measured $L_{\rm bol}$, even for high redshift obscured AGN. We briefly discuss possible physical mechanisms behind this correlation, such as the mass-metallicity relation, X-ray heating, and radiatively driven outflows.

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