Electron temperature fluctuations in Seyfert galaxies
Abstract
We use Gemini GMOS-IFU observations of three luminous nearby Seyfert galaxies (Mrk 79, Mrk 348, and Mrk 607) to estimate the electron temperature (Te) fluctuations in the inner 0.4-1.1 kpc region of these galaxies. Based on Te determinations through the [O III]λ5007/λ4363 emission line ratio of each spaxel, temperature variations are quantified by computing the integrated value of the temperature fluctuation parameter (t2) projected in the plane of the sky $t_{\rm A}^{\rm 2}$, for the first time in active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We find $t_{\rm A}^{\rm 2}$ values of 0.135, 0.039, and 0.015 for Mrk 79, Mrk 348, and Mrk 607, respectively, which are of the same order or larger than the maximum values reported in star-forming regions and planetary nebulae. Taking into account that $t_{\rm A}^{\rm 2}$ should be considered a lower limit of the total t2 in the nebular volume, the results suggest that the impact of such fluctuations on chemical abundance determinations can be important in some AGNs.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- September 2021
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnrasl/slab064
- arXiv:
- arXiv:2106.03623
- Bibcode:
- 2021MNRAS.506L..11R
- Keywords:
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- galaxies: abundances;
- galaxies: active;
- galaxies: ISM;
- galaxies: Seyfert;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
- E-Print:
- Accepted for publication in MNRAS Letters