We explore the multiwavelength properties of AGN host galaxies for different classes of radio-selected AGN out to z ≲ 6 via a multiwavelength analysis of about 7700 radio sources in the COSMOS field. ...The sources were selected with the Very Large Array (VLA) at 3 GHz (10 cm) within the VLA–COSMOS 3 GHz Large Project, and cross-matched with multiwavelength ancillary data. This is the largest sample of high-redshift (z ≲ 6) radio sources with exquisite photometric coverage and redshift measurements available. We constructed a sample of moderate-to-high radiative luminosity AGN (HLAGN) via spectral energy distribution decomposition combined with standard X-ray and mid-infrared diagnostics. Within the remainder of the sample we further identified low-to-moderate radiative luminosity AGN (MLAGN) via excess in radio emission relative to the star formation rates in their host galaxies. We show that at each redshift our HLAGN havesystematically higher radiative luminosities than MLAGN and that their AGN power occurs predominantly in radiative form, while MLAGN display a substantial mechanical AGN luminosity component. We found significant differences in the host properties of the two AGN classes, as a function of redshift. At z< 1.5, MLAGN appear to reside in significantly more massive and less star-forming galaxies compared to HLAGN. At z> 1.5, we observed a reversal in the behaviour of the stellar mass distributions with the HLAGN populating the higher stellar mass tail. We interpret this finding as a possible hint of the downsizing of galaxies hosting HLAGN, with the most massive galaxies triggering AGN activity earlier than less massive galaxies, and then fading to MLAGN at lower redshifts. Our conclusion is that HLAGN and MLAGN samples trace two distinct galaxy and AGN populations in a wide range of redshifts, possibly resembling the radio AGN types often referred to as radiative- and jet-mode (or high- and low-excitation), respectively, whose properties might depend on the different availability of cold gas supplies.
Spitzer/IRAC selection is a powerful tool for identifying luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs). For deep IRAC data, however, the AGN selection wedges currently in use are heavily contaminated by ...star-forming galaxies, especially at high redshift. Using the large samples of luminous AGNs and high-redshift star-forming galaxies in COSMOS, we redefine the AGN selection criteria for use in deep IRAC surveys. The new IRAC criteria are designed to be both highly complete and reliable, and incorporate the best aspects of the current AGN selection wedges and of infrared power-law selection while excluding high-redshift star-forming galaxies selected via the BzK, distant red galaxy, Lyman-break galaxy, and submillimeter galaxy criteria. At QSO luminosities of log L sub(2-10 keV)(erg s super(-1)) > or =, slanted 44, the new IRAC criteria recover 75% of the hard X-ray and IRAC-detected XMM-COSMOS sample, yet only 38% of the IRAC AGN candidates have X-ray counterparts, a fraction that rises to 52% in regions with Chandra exposures of 50-160 ks. X-ray stacking of the individually X-ray non-detected AGN candidates leads to a hard X-ray signal indicative of heavily obscured to mildly Compton-thick obscuration (log N sub(H) (cm super(-2)) = 23.5 + or - 0.4). While IRAC selection recovers a substantial fraction of luminous unobscured and obscured AGNs, it is incomplete to low-luminosity and host-dominated AGNs.
We present the kinematic analysis of a sub-sample of 82 galaxies at 0.75 < z < 1.2 from our new survey HR-COSMOS aimed to obtain the first statistical sample to study the kinematics of star-forming ...galaxies in the treasury COSMOS field at 0 < z < 1.2. We observed 766 emission line galaxies using the multi-slit spectrograph ESO-VLT/VIMOS in high-resolution mode (R = 2500). To better extract galaxy kinematics, VIMOS spectral slits have been carefully tilted along the major axis orientation of the galaxies, making use of the position angle measurements from the high spatial resolution HST/ACS COSMOS images. We constrained the kinematics of the sub-sample at 0.75 < z < 1.2 by creating high-resolution semi-analytical models. We established the stellar-mass Tully-Fisher relation at z ≃ 0.9 with high-quality stellar mass measurements derived using the latest COSMOS photometric catalog, which includes the latest data releases of UltraVISTA and Spitzer. In doubling the sample at these redshifts compared with the literature, we estimated the relation without setting its slope, and found it consistent with previous studies in other deep extragalactic fields assuming no significant evolution of the relation with redshift at z ≲ 1. We computed dynamical masses within the radius R2.2 and found a median stellar-to-dynamical mass fraction equal to 0.2 (assuming Chabrier IMF), which implies a contribution of gas and dark matter masses of 80% of the total mass within R2.2, in agreement with recent integral field spectroscopy surveys. We find no dependence of the stellar-mass Tully-Fisher relation with environment probing up to group scale masses. This study shows that multi-slit galaxy surveys remain a powerful tool to derive kinematics for large numbers of galaxies at both high and low redshift.
A simple two-color selection based on B-, z-, and K-band photometry is proposed for culling galaxies at 1.4 z 2.5 in K-selected samples and classifying them as star-forming or passive systems. The ...method is calibrated on the highly complete spectroscopic redshift database of the K20 survey, verified with simulations and tested on other data sets. Requiring BzK = (z - K) sub(AB) - (B - z) sub(AB) > -0.2 allows us to select actively star-forming galaxies at z 1.4, independently of their dust reddening. On the other hand, objects with BzK < -0.2 and (z - K) sub(AB) > 2.5 colors include passively evolving galaxies at z 1.4, often with spheroidal morphologies. Simple recipes to estimate the reddening, star formation rates (SFRs), and masses of BzK-selected galaxies are derived and are calibrated on K < 20 galaxies. These K < 20 galaxies have typical stellar masses of 610 super(11) M sub( )and sky and volume densities of 61 arcmin super(-2) and 610 super(-4) Mpc super(-3), respectively. Based on their UV (reddening-corrected), X-ray, and radio luminosities, the BzK-selected star-forming galaxies with K < 20 turn out to have average SFR - 200 M sub( )yr super(-1) and median reddening E(B-V) 6 0.4. This SFR is a factor of 10 higher than that of z 6 1 dusty extremely red objects, and a factor of 3 higher than found for z 6 2 UV-selected galaxies, both at similar K limits. Besides missing the passively evolving galaxies, the UV selection appears to miss some relevant fraction of the z 6 2 star-forming galaxies with K < 20, and hence of the (obscured) SFR density at this redshift. The high SFRs and masses add to other existing evidence that these z = 2 star-forming galaxies may be among the precursors of z = 0 early-type galaxies. A V/V sub(max) test suggests that such a population may be increasing in number density with increasing redshift. Theoretical models cannot reproduce simultaneously the space density of both passively evolving and highly star-forming galaxies at z = 2. In view of Spitzer Space Telescope observations, an analogous technique based on RJL photometry is proposed to complement the BzK selection and to identify massive galaxies at 2.5 z 4.0. By selecting passively evolving galaxies as well as actively star-forming galaxies (including strongly dust-reddened ones), these color criteria should help in completing the census of the stellar mass and of the SFR density at high redshift.
We investigate the role of supermassive black holes in the global context of galaxy evolution by measuring the host galaxy stellar mass function (HGMF) and the specific accretion rate, that is, SAR, ...the distribution function (SARDF), up to z ~ 2.5 with ~1000 X-ray selected AGN from XMM-COSMOS. Compared to the stellar mass function, we find that the HGMF has a similar shape and that up to log(M/M) ~ 11.5, the ratio of AGN host galaxies to star-forming galaxies is basically constant (~10%). Finally, the comparison of the AGN HGMF for different luminosity and specific accretion rate subclasses with a previously published phenomenological model prediction for the "transient" population, which are galaxies in the process of being mass-quenched, reveals that low-luminosity AGN do not appear to be able to contribute significantly to the quenching and that at least at high masses, that is, M < 1010.7 M, feedback from luminous AGN may be responsible for the quenching of star formation in the host galaxy.
SUPER Cicone, C.; Mainieri, V.; Circosta, C. ...
Astronomy and astrophysics (Berlin),
10/2021, Letnik:
654
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
We present the discovery of copious molecular gas in the halo of cid_346, a
z
= 2.2 quasar studied as part of the SINFONI survey for Unveiling the Physics and Effect of Radiative feedback (SUPER). ...New Atacama Compact Array (ACA) CO(3−2) observations detect a much higher flux (by a factor of 14 ± 5) than measured on kiloparsec scales (
r
≲ 8 kpc) using previous snapshot Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array data. Such additional CO(3−2) emission traces a structure that extends out to
r
∼ 200 kpc in projected size, as inferred through direct imaging and confirmed by an analysis of the
uv
visibilities. This is the most extended molecular circumgalactic medium (CGM) reservoir that has ever been mapped. It shows complex kinematics, with an overall broad line profile (
F
W
H
M
= 1000 km s
−1
) that is skewed towards redshifted velocities up to at least
v
∼ 1000 km s
−1
. Using the optically thin assumption, we estimate a strict lower limit for the total molecular CGM mass observed by ACA of
M
mol
CGM
> 10
10
M
⊙
. There is however room for up to
M
mol
CGM
∼ 1.7 × 10
12
M
⊙
, once optically thick CO emission with
α
CO
= 3.6
M
⊙
(K km s
−1
pc
2
)
−1
and
L
′
CO(3−2)
/
L
′
CO(1−0)
= 0.5 are assumed. Since cid_346 hosts quasar-driven ionised outflows and since there is no evidence of merging companions or an overdensity, we suggest that outflows may have played a crucial rule in seeding metal-enriched, dense gas on halo scales. However, the origin of such an extended molecular CGM remains unclear.
ABSTRACT
We present results from the NIRVANDELS survey on the gas-phase metallicity (Zg, tracing O/H) and stellar metallicity (Z⋆, tracing Fe/H) of 33 star-forming galaxies at redshifts 2.95 < z < ...3.80. Based on a combined analysis of deep optical and near-IR spectra, tracing the rest-frame far-ultraviolet (FUV; 1200–2000 Å) and rest-frame optical (3400–5500 Å), respectively, we present the first simultaneous determination of the stellar and gas-phase mass–metallicity relationships (MZRs) at z ≃ 3.4. In both cases, we find that metallicity increases with increasing stellar mass (M⋆) and that the power-law slope at M⋆ ≲ 1010M⊙ of both MZRs scales as $Z \propto M_{\star }^{0.3}$. Comparing the stellar and gas-phase MZRs, we present direct evidence for super-solar O/Fe ratios (i.e. α-enhancement) at z > 3, finding (O/Fe) = 2.54 ± 0.38 × (O/Fe)⊙, with no clear dependence on M⋆.
Abstract
Fast and energetic winds are invoked by galaxy formation models as essential processes in the evolution of galaxies. These outflows can be powered either by star formation (SF) and/or active ...galactic nucleus (AGN) activity, but the relative dominance of the two mechanisms is still under debate. We use spectroscopic stacking analysis to study the properties of the low-ionization phase of the outflow in a sample of 1330 star-forming galaxies (SFGs) and 79 X-ray-detected (1042 < L
X < 1045 erg s−1) Type 2 AGN at 1.7 < z < 4.6 selected from a compilation of deep optical spectroscopic surveys, mostly zCOSMOS-Deep and VIMOS Ultra Deep Survey (VUDS). We measure mean velocity offsets of ∼− 150 km s−1 in the SFGs, while in the AGN sample the velocity is much higher (∼− 950 km s−1), suggesting that the AGN is boosting the outflow up to velocities that could not be reached only with the SF contribution. The sample of X-ray AGN has on average a lower SF rate than non-AGN SFGs of similar mass: this, combined with the enhanced outflow velocity in AGN hosts, is consistent with AGN feedback in action. We further divide our sample of AGN into two X-ray luminosity bins: we measure the same velocity offsets in both stacked spectra, at odds with results reported for the highly ionized phase in local AGN, suggesting that the two phases of the outflow may be mixed only up to relatively low velocities, while the highest velocities can be reached only by the highly ionized phase.
Aims. The co-evolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes (SMBHs) requires that some sort of feedback mechanism is operating during the active galactic nuclei (AGN) phases. AGN driven winds are ...the most likely candidates for such feedback mechanism, but direct observational evidence of their existence and of their effects on the host galaxies are still scarce and their physical origin is still hotly debated. Methods. X-Shooter observations of a sample of X-ray selected, obscured quasars at z ~ 1.5, selected on the basis of their observed red colors and X-ray-to-optical flux ratio, have shown the presence of outflowing ionized gas identified by broad OIII emission lines in 6 out of 8 objects, confirming the efficiency of the selection criteria. Here we present slit-resolved spectroscopy for the two brightest sources, XID2028 and XID5321, to study the complex emission and absorption line kinematics. Results. We detect outflow extended out to ~10 kpc from the central black hole, both as blueshifted and redshifted emission. Interestingly, we also detect kpc scale outflows in the OII emission lines and in the neutral gas component, traced by the sodium D and magnesium absorption lines, confirming that a substantial amount of the outflowing mass is in the form of neutral gas. Conclusions. The measured gas velocities and the outflow kinetic powers, inferred under reasonable assumptions on the geometry and physical properties of these two systems, favor an AGN origin for the observed winds.
The fraction of active galactic nucleus (AGN) luminosity obscured by dust and re-emitted in the mid-IR is critical for understanding AGN evolution, unification, and parsec-scale AGN physics. For ...unobscured (Type 1) AGNs, where we have a direct view of the accretion disk, the dust covering factor can be measured by computing the ratio of re-processed mid-IR emission to intrinsic nuclear bolometric luminosity. We use this technique to estimate the obscured AGN fraction as a function of luminosity and redshift for 513 Type 1 AGNs from the XMM-COSMOS survey. The re-processed and intrinsic luminosities are computed by fitting the 18 band COSMOS photometry with a custom spectral energy distribution fitting code, which jointly models emission from hot dust in the AGN torus, from the accretion disk, and from the host galaxy. We find a relatively shallow decrease of the luminosity ratio as a function of L sub(bol), which we interpret as a corresponding decrease in the obscured fraction. In the context of the receding torus model, where dust sublimation reduces the covering factor of more luminous AGNs, our measurements require a torus height that increases with luminosity as h is proportional to L sub(bol) super(0.3-0.4). Our obscured-fraction-luminosity relation agrees with determinations from Sloan Digital Sky Survey censuses of Type 1 and Type 2 quasars and favors a torus optically thin to mid-IR radiation. We find a much weaker dependence of the obscured fraction on 2-10 keV luminosity than previous determinations from X-ray surveys and argue that X-ray surveys miss a significant population of highly obscured Compton-thick AGNs. Our analysis shows no clear evidence for evolution of the obscured fraction with redshift.
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