Other
Scientific paper
Jan 2012
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2012aas...21924306s&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, #243.06
Other
Scientific paper
An abundance of observations show that nearly all galaxies host a central supermassive black hole (SMBH). We also know that galaxy mergers are common within separations > 10 kpc. It is hard to estimate the galaxy merger rate directly, without knowing how many galaxy mergers exist within smaller separations. However, we can use pairs of active galaxies as an indirect tracer of it. We present two methods to search for active black holes in merging galaxies. Our first technique involves a search for double-peaked narrow line emissions that are a signature of a dual AGN merger. We identify two type 2 AGN with double-peaked Hb, [O III] 5007, Ha, and [N II] 6584 narrow emission lines selected from the AGN and Galaxy Evolution Survey (AGES). Through the use of double Gaussian fitting, we measure the red and blue components of offset velocity for each emission line. The double-peaked profiles may be explained by the orbital mechanics of dual AGN, bipolar outflows, or rotating gaseous disks. Additional observations are required to determine further clarification. Our second method includes a search for cases of dual SMBHs, where only one of the black holes is active. The AGN in one of the merging galaxies can be detected by a uniform offset in the emission line velocities. We detect five candidates of offset AGN, whose emission line offset velocities agree within each other's error. With the combination of our results and the other discoveries of kpc-scale galaxy mergers, we can produce a more detailed analysis of the rate and nuclear triggering of galaxy mergers.
Comerford Julia
Cool Richard R.
Greene Joshua
Schluns Kyle
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