Dichotomy in host environments and signs of recycled AGN

Details Dichotomy in host environments and signs of recycled AGN Dichotomy in host environments and signs of recycled AGN

2009-06-22

arxiv.org/abs/0906.4090v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

Galaxy Astrophysics

11 pages, 10 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRAS

Scientific paper

We analyse the relation between AGN host properties and large scale environment for a representative red and blue AGN host galaxy sample selected from the DR4 SDSS. A comparison is made with two carefully constructed control samples of non-active galaxies, covering the same redshift range and color baseline. The cross-correlation functions show that the density distribution of neighbours is almost identical for blue galaxies, either active, or non-active. Although active red galaxies inhabit environments less dense compared to non-active red galaxies, both reside in environments considerably denser than those of blue hosts. Moreover, the radial density profile of AGN, relative to galaxy group centres is less concentrated than galaxies. This is particularly evident when comparing red AGN and non-active galaxies. The properties of the neighbouring galaxies of blue and red AGN and non active galaxies reflect this effect. While the neighbourhood of the blue samples is indistinguishable, the red AGN environs show an excess of blue-star forming galaxies with respect to their non-active counterpart. On the other hand, the active and non-active blue systems have similar environments but markedly different morphological distributions, showing an excess of blue early-type AGN, which are argued to be late stage mergers. This comparison reveals that the observable differences between active red and blue host galaxy properties including star formation history and AGN activity depends on the environment within which the galaxies form and evolve.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Dichotomy in host environments and signs of recycled AGN 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 Dichotomy in host environments and signs of recycled AGN, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Dichotomy in host environments and signs of recycled AGN will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-496134