Outflowing diffuse gas in the active galactic nucleus of NGC 1068

Journal Article · Sat Oct 10 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Astrophysical Journal

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/0004-637X/812/1/56· OSTI ID:22882496

Geballe, T. R.; Mason, R. E. ^[1]; Oka, T. ^[2]

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1. Gemini Observatory, 670 N. A‘ohoku Place, Hilo, HI, 96720 (United States)
2. Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics and Department of Chemistry, The Enrico Fermi Institute, University of Chicago, 5735 South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637 (United States)

Spectra of the archetypal Type II Seyfert galaxy NGC 1068 in a narrow wavelength interval near 3.7 μm have revealed a weak absorption feature due to two lines of the molecular ion H{sub 3}{sup +}. The observed wavelength of the feature corresponds to a velocity of −70 km s{sup −1} relative to the systemic velocity of the galaxy, implying an outward flow from the nucleus along the line of sight. The absorption by H{sub 3}{sup +} along with the previously known broad hydrocarbon absorption at 3.4μm are probably formed in diffuse gas that is in close proximity to the continuum source, i.e., within a few tens of parsecs of the central engine. Based on that conclusion and the measured H{sub 3}{sup +} absorption velocity and with the assumption of a spherically symmetric wind we estimate a rate of mass outflow from the active galactic nucleus of ∼1 M{sub ⊙} yr{sup −1}.

• OSTI ID: 22882496
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal, Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 812; ISSN ASJOAB; ISSN 0004-637X
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS
ABSORPTION
COSMIC GASES
DIFFUSION
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GALAXY NUCLEI
HYDROCARBONS
MASS
MOLECULAR IONS
MOLECULES
SEYFERT GALAXIES
SPECTRA
SPHERICAL CONFIGURATION