Spectropolarimetry of NGC 3783 and Mrk 509: Evidence for powerful nuclear winds in Seyfert 1 Galaxies

P Lira*, M Kishimoto, R W Goosmann, R Campos, D. Axon, M Elvis, A. Lawrence, B. M. Peterson, A Robinson

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present results from high signal-to-noise optical spectropolarimetric observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxies NGC 3783 and Mrk 509 in the 3500–7000 Å range. We find complex structure in the polarized emission for both objects. In particular, Position Angle (PA) changes across the Balmer lines show a distinctive ‘M’-shaped profile that had not been observed in this detail before, but could represent a common trait in Seyfert 1 galaxies. In fact, while this shape is observed in all Balmer lines in NGC 3783, Mrk 509 transitions into a ‘M’-shaped PA profile for higher transitions lines. We have modeled the observed profiles using the STOKES radiative transfer code and assuming that the scattering region is co-spatial with the BLR and outflowing. The results give compelling new evidence for the presence of nuclear winds in these two Seyfert 1 galaxies.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)579-593
Number of pages15
JournalMonthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Volume507
Issue number1
Early online date23 Jun 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Oct 2021

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