Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2010-06-01
Koss, M., Mushotzky, R., Veilleux, S., & Winter, L. 2010, ApJ, 716, L125
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics
15 pages, 4 figures, published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters
Scientific paper
10.1088/2041-8205/716/2/L125
We discuss the merger rate, close galaxy environment, and clustering on scales up to a Mpc of the SWIFT BAT hard X-ray sample of nearby (z<0.05), moderate-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGN). We find a higher incidence of galaxies with signs of disruption compared to a matched control sample (18% versus 1%) and of close pairs within 30 kpc (24% versus 1%). We also find a larger fraction with companions compared to normal galaxies and optical emission line selected AGN at scales up to 250 kpc. We hypothesize that these merging AGN may not be identified using optical emission line diagnostics because of optical extinction and dilution by star formation. In support of this hypothesis, in merging systems we find a higher hard X-ray to [OIII] flux ratio, as well as emission line diagnostics characteristic of composite or star-forming galaxies, and a larger IRAS 60 um to stellar mass ratio.
Koss Michael
Mushotzky Richard
Veilleux Sylvain
Winter Lisa
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