Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-07-25
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
8 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ
Scientific paper
10.1086/592268
We report the Chandra detection of X-ray emission spatially coincident with the kpc-scale radio bubbles in the nearby (D_L ~ 31 Mpc) AGN-starburst galaxy NGC 6764. The X-ray emission originates in hot gas (kT ~ 0.75 keV), which may either be contained within the radio bubbles, or in a shell of hot gas surrounding them. We consider three models for the origin of the hot gas: (1) a starburst-driven galactic wind, (2) shocked gas associated with the expanding radio bubbles, and (3) gas heated and entrained into the bubbles by jet/ISM interactions in the inner AGN outflow. We rule out a galactic wind based on significant differences from known galactic wind systems. The tight correspondence between the brightest X-ray emission and the radio emission in the inner outflow from the Seyfert nucleus, as well as a correlation between X-ray and radio spectral features suggestive of shocks and particle acceleration, lead us to favour the third model; however, we cannot firmly rule out a model in which the bubbles are driving large-scale shocks into the galaxy ISM. In either AGN-driven heating scenario, the total energy stored in the hot gas is high, ~10^56 ergs, comparable to the energetic impact of low-power radio galaxies such as Centaurus A, and will have a dramatic impact on the galaxy and its surroundings.
Croston Judith H.
Hardcastle Martin J.
Hota Ananda
Kharb Preeti
Kraft Ralph Porter
No associations
LandOfFree
Chandra evidence for AGN feedback in the spiral galaxy NGC 6764 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Chandra evidence for AGN feedback in the spiral galaxy NGC 6764, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Chandra evidence for AGN feedback in the spiral galaxy NGC 6764 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-326079