The DEEP2 Galaxy Redshift Survey: AEGIS Observations of a Dual AGN at z = 0.7
Abstract
We present evidence of a dual active galactic nucleus (AGN) within an early-type galaxy at z=0.709 in the extended Groth strip. The galaxy lies on the red sequence, with absolute magnitude MB=-21.0 (AB, with h=0.7) and rest-frame color U-B=1.38. Its optical spectrum shows strong, double-peaked [O III] emission lines and weak Hβ emission, with Seyfert-like line ratios. The two narrow peaks are separated by 630 km s-1 in velocity and arise from two distinct regions, spatially resolved in the DEIMOS spectrum, with a projected physical separation of 1.2 kpc. HST ACS imaging shows an early-type (E/S0) galaxy with hints of disturbed structure, consistent with the remnant of a dissipationless merger. Multiwavelength photometric information from the AEGIS consortium confirms the identification of a dust-obscured AGN in an early-type galaxy, with detections in X-ray, optical, infrared, and radio wave bands. These data are most readily explained as a single galaxy harboring two AGNs-the first such system to be observed in an otherwise typical early-type galaxy.
- Publication:
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The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- May 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1086/517968
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0608380
- Bibcode:
- 2007ApJ...660L..23G
- Keywords:
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- Galaxies: Active;
- Galaxies: Nuclei;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- 5 pages, 4 figures. Updated to match published version