In the realm of astrophysics, a team of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China, led by Zhuojun Deng, has been delving into the fascinating world of dual active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Their work, recently published in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, aims to shed light on the coevolution of galaxies and the supermassive black holes at their centers.
The team has identified 173 new dual AGNs, along with 4 AGN triplets and 1 AGN quadruplet, all within a relatively close cosmic neighborhood, with a redshift of less than 0.5 and a projected distance of no more than 100 kiloparsecs. These findings significantly supplement the existing demographic data on low-redshift dual AGNs.
The researchers utilized data from the Million Quasars Catalog and performed visual inspections of optical images from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument Legacy Survey. They discovered that approximately 16% of the AGN pairs exhibited tidal features, which are signs of gravitational interactions between galaxies. Statistical analyses revealed an increasing number of dual AGNs with decreasing redshift, with most velocity differences between the AGNs being less than 300 km/s. However, this velocity distribution is likely influenced by the team’s selection strategy.
The study also explored wide separation dual AGNs, with a projected distance of more than 10 kiloparsecs. They found 165 such systems, with 25 displaying clear tidal features. Additionally, the team discovered extra galaxies, AGNs, and/or their candidates in the same regions as the pairs or multiplets, forming interacting systems with these pairs or multiplets.
The practical applications of this research for the energy sector are not immediately apparent, as the study is primarily focused on astrophysics and cosmology. However, understanding the coevolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes can provide insights into the fundamental processes that shape our universe. This knowledge can indirectly contribute to our understanding of the energy dynamics in the cosmos, which may have implications for future energy technologies and strategies.
In conclusion, the work of Deng and his team represents a significant step forward in our understanding of dual AGNs and their role in the coevolution of galaxies and supermassive black holes. Their findings, published in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, provide valuable data that will inform future research in this exciting field.
This article is based on research available at arXiv.