Advanced search
Start date
Betweenand
Related content
(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

AN OFF-CENTERED ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS IN NGC 3115

Full text
Author(s):
Menezes, R. B. [1] ; Steiner, J. E. [1] ; Ricci, T. V. [1]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Astron Geofis & Ciencias Atmosfer, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 1
Document type: Journal article
Source: Astrophysical Journal Letters; v. 796, n. 1 NOV 20 2014.
Web of Science Citations: 8
Abstract

NGC 3115 is an S0 galaxy that has always been considered to have a pure absorption-line spectrum. Some recent studies have detected a compact radio-emitting nucleus in this object, coinciding with the photometric center and with a candidate for the X-ray nucleus. This is evidence of the existence of a low-luminosity active galactic nucleus (AGN) in the galaxy, although no emission line has ever been observed. We report the detection of an emission-line spectrum of a type 1 AGN in NGC 3115, with an Ha luminosity of L-H alpha = (4.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(37) erg s(-1). Our analysis revealed that this AGN is located at a projected distance of similar to 0 `'.29 +/- 0 `'.05 (corresponding to similar to 14.3 +/- 2.5 pc) from the stellar bulge center, which is coincident with the kinematic center of this object's stellar velocity map. The black hole corresponding to the observed off-centered AGN may form a binary system with a black hole located at the stellar bulge center. However, it is also possible that the displaced black hole is the merged remnant of the binary system coalescence, after the ``kick{''} caused by the asymmetric emission of gravitational waves. We propose that certain features in the stellar velocity dispersion map are the result of perturbations caused by the off-centered AGN. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 12/21350-7 - Nuclear and circumnuclear low ionization emission in massive galaxies.
Grantee:Tiago Vecchi Ricci
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
FAPESP's process: 12/02268-8 - Galactic nuclei in the local universe: supermassive black holes and stellar archeology of galaxies of high and low masses
Grantee:Roberto Bertoldo Menezes
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral