Molecular outflows in galaxy merger simulations with embedded active galactic nuclei

Desika Narayanan*, Thomas J. Cox, Brant Robertson, Romeel Davé, Tiziana D.I. Matteo, Lars Hernquist, Philip Hopkins, Craig Kulesa, Christopher K. Walker

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We study the effects of feedback from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) on emission from molecular gas in galaxy mergers by combining hydrodynamic simulations that include black holes with a three-dimensional, non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (LTE) radiative transfer code. We find that molecular clouds entrained in AGN winds produce an extended CO morphology with significant off-nuclear emission, which may be detectable via contour mapping. Furthermore, kinematic signatures of these molecular outflows are visible in emission-line profiles when the outflow has a large line-of-sight velocity. Our results can help interpret current and upcoming observations of luminous infrared galaxies, as well as provide a detailed test of subresolution prescriptions for supermassive black hole growth in galaxy-scale hydrodynamic simulations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)L107-L110
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume642
Issue number2 II
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 10 May 2006

Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)

  • Cosmology: theory
  • Galaxies: active
  • Galaxies: formation
  • Galaxies: interactions
  • Galaxies: ISM
  • Line: formation

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