Hubble Space Telescope Spectroscopic Observations of the Narrow-Line Region in Nearby Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei

Details Hubble Space Telescope Spectroscopic Observations of the Narrow-Line Region in Nearby Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei Hubble Space Telescope Spectroscopic Observations of the Narrow-Line Region in Nearby Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei

2008-08-06

arxiv.org/abs/0808.0914v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

35 pages, 10 figures. To appear in AJ

Scientific paper

10.1088/0004-6256/136/4/1677

(Abridged) We present STIS observations of 14 nearby low-luminosity active galactic nuclei, including 13 LINERs and 1 Seyfert, taken at multiple parallel slit positions centered on the galaxy nuclei and covering the H-alpha spectral region. For each galaxy, we measure the emission-line velocities, line widths, and strengths, to map out the inner narrow-line region structure. There is a wide diversity among the velocity fields: in a few galaxies the gas is clearly in disk-like rotation, while in other galaxies the gas kinematics appear chaotic or are dominated by radial flows with multiple velocity components. The [S II] line ratio indicates a radial stratification in gas density, with a sharp increase within the inner 10-20 pc, in the majority of the Type 1 objects. We examine how the [N II] 6583 line width varies as a function of aperture size over a range of spatial scales, extending from scales comparable to the black hole's sphere of influence to scales dominated by the host galaxy's bulge. For most galaxies in the sample, we find that the emission-line velocity dispersion is largest within the black hole's gravitational sphere of influence, and decreases with increasing aperture size toward values similar to the bulge stellar velocity dispersion measured within ground-based apertures. Future dynamical modeling in order to determine black hole masses for a few objects in this sample may be worthwhile, although disorganized motion will limit the accuracy of the mass measurements.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Hubble Space Telescope Spectroscopic Observations of the Narrow-Line Region in Nearby Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei 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 Hubble Space Telescope Spectroscopic Observations of the Narrow-Line Region in Nearby Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Hubble Space Telescope Spectroscopic Observations of the Narrow-Line Region in Nearby Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-212890