New metallicity calibration for Seyfert 2 galaxies based on the N2O2 index

Author(s)

Castro, C. S. ; Dors, O. L. ; Cardaci, M. V. ; Hagele, G. F.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society; v. 467, n. 2, p. 1507-1514, MAY 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 10

Abstract

We derive a new relation between the metallicity of Seyfert 2 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and the intensity of the narrow emission-lines ratio N2O2 = log({[}N II] lambda 6584/{[}O II] lambda 3727). The calibration of this relation was performed by determining the metallicity (Z) of a sample of 58 AGNs through a diagram containing the observational data and the results of a grid of photoionization models obtained with the CLOUDY code. We find the new Z/ Z(circle dot)-N2O2 relation using the obtained metallicity values and the corresponding observational emissionline intensities for each object of the sample. Estimations derived through the use of this new calibration indicate that the narrow-line regions of Seyfert 2 galaxies exhibit a large range of metallicities (0.3 <= Z/Z(circle dot) <= 2.0), with a median value Z <= Z(circle dot). Regarding the possible existence of correlations between the luminosity L(Ha), the electron density and the colour excess E(B-V) with themetallicity in this kind of objects, we do not find correlations between them. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/04728-7 - Chemical abundance determinations in AGNs
• Grantee: Oli Luiz Dors Junior
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants