arXiv subjects

Gerold Busch

Publications and source records attributed to Gerold Busch.

14 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2020

Interactions among intermediate redshift galaxies. The case of SDSSJ134420.86+663717.8

We present the properties of the central supermassive black holes and the host galaxies of the interacting object SDSSJ134420.86+663717.8. We obtained optical long slit spectroscopy data from the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) using the Multi Object Double Spectrograph (MODS). Analysing the spectra revealed several strong broad and narrow emission lines of ionised gas in the nuclear region of one galaxy, whereas only narrow emission lines were visible for the second galaxy. The optical spectra were used to plot diagnostic diagrams, deduce rotation curves of the two galaxies, and calculate the masses of the central supermassive black holes. We find that the galaxy with broad emission line features has Seyfert~1 properties, while the galaxy with only narrow emission line features seems to be star-forming in nature. Furthermore, we find that the masses of the central supermassive black holes are almost equal at a few times 10^7 solar mass. Additionally, we present a simple N-body simulation to shed some light on the initial conditions of the progenitor galaxies. We find that for an almost orthogonal approach of the two interacting galaxies, the model resembles the optical image of the system.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Radio spectral index distribution of SDSS-FIRST sources across optical diagnostic diagrams

A detailed understanding of how the activity of a galactic nucleus regulates the growth of its host is still missing. To understand the activity and the types of accretion of supermassive black holes in different hosts, it is essential to study radio-optical properties of a large sample of extragalactic sources. In particular, we aim at studying the radio spectral index trends across the optical emission line diagnostic diagrams to search for potential (anti)correlations. To this goal, we combine flux densities from the radio FIRST survey at $1.4\,{\rm GHz}$ (with the flux density range $10\,{\rm mJy} \leq F_{1.4} \leq 1000\,{\rm mJy}$) for 209 SDSS sources at intermediate redshift $(0.04\leq z \leq 0.4)$ with the Effelsberg radiotelescope measurements at $4.85\,{\rm GHz}$ and $10.45\,{\rm GHz}$. The information about the optical emission-line ratios is obtained from the SDSS-DR7 catalogue. Using the Effelsberg data, we were able to infer the two-point radio spectral index distributions for star-forming galaxies, composite galaxies (with a combined contribution to the line emission from the star-formation and AGN activity), Seyferts, and low ionization narrow emission region (LINER) galaxies. While studying the distribution of steep, flat, and inverted sources across optical diagnostic diagrams, we found three distinct classes of radio emitters for our sample: (i) sources with steep radio index, high ionization ratio and high radio loudness, (ii) sources with flat radio index, lower ionization ratio and intermediate radio loudness, (iii) sources with inverted radio index, low ionization ratio and low radio loudness. The classes (i), (ii), (iii) cluster mainly along the transition from Seyfert to LINER sources in the BPT diagram. We interpret these groups as a result of the recurrent nuclear-jet activity.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

The Close AGN Reference Survey (CARS): Comparative analysis of the structural properties of star-forming and non-star-forming galaxy bars

The absence of star formation in the bar region that has been reported for some galaxies can theoretically be explained by shear. However, it is not clear how star-forming (SF) bars fit into this picture and how the dynamical state of the bar is related to other properties of the host galaxy. We used integral-field spectroscopy from VLT/MUSE to investigate how star formation within bars is connected to structural properties of the bar and the host galaxy. We derived spatially resolved H$\alpha$ fluxes from MUSE observations from the CARS survey to estimate star formation rates in the bars of 16 nearby ($0.01 < z < 0.06$) disc galaxies with stellar masses between $10^{10} M_\odot$ and $10^{11} M_\odot$. We further performed a detailed multicomponent photometric decomposition on images derived from the data cubes. We find that bars clearly divide into SF and non-star-forming (non-SF) types, of which eight are SF and eight are non-SF. Whatever the responsible quenching mechanism is, it is a quick process compared to the lifetime of the bar. The star formation of the bar appears to be linked to the flatness of the surface brightness profile in the sense that only the flattest bars $\left(n_\mathrm{bar} \leq 0.4\right)$ are actively SF $\left(\mathrm{SFR_{b}} > 0.5 M_\odot \mathrm{yr^{-1}}\right)$. Both parameters are uncorrelated with Hubble type. We find that star formation is 1.75 times stronger on the leading than on the trailing edge and is radially decreasing. The conditions to host non-SF bars might be connected to the presence of inner rings. Additionally, from testing an AGN feeding scenario, we report that the star formation rate of the bar is uncorrelated with AGN bolometric luminosity. The results of this study may only apply to type-1 AGN hosts and need to be confirmed for the full population of barred galaxies.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2019

Near-infrared observations of star formation and gas flows in the NUGA galaxy NGC 1365

In the framework of understanding the gas and stellar kinematics and their relations to AGNs and galaxy evolution scenarios, we present spatially resolved distributions and kinematics of the stars and gas in the central $\sim 800$-pc radius of the nearby Seyfert galaxy NGC 1365. We obtained $H+K$- and $K$-band near-infrared (NIR) integral-field observations from VLT/SINFONI. Our results reveal strong broad and narrow emission-line components of ionized gas (hydrogen recombination lines Pa$\alpha $ and Br$\gamma$) in the nuclear region, as well as hot dust with a temperature of $\sim 1300$ K, both typical for type-1 AGNs.From $M_{\mathrm{BH}}-\sigma_*$ and the broad components of hydrogen recombination lines, we find a black-hole mass of $(5-10)\times 10^6 \, M_{\odot}$. In the central $\sim 800$ pc, we find a hot molecular gas mass of $\sim 615$ M$_{\odot}$, which corresponds to a cold molecular gas reservoir of $(2-8)\times 10^8$ M$_{\odot}$. However, there is a molecular gas deficiency in the nuclear region.The gas and stellar-velocity maps both show rotation patterns consistent with the large-scale rotation of the galaxy. However, the gaseous and stellar kinematics show deviations from pure disk rotation, which suggest streaming motions in the central $< 200$ pc and a velocity twist at the location of the ring which indicates deviations in disk and ring rotation velocities in accordance with published CO kinematics. We detect a blueshifted emission line split in Pa$\alpha$, associated with the nuclear region only. We investigate the star-formation properties of the hot spots in the circumnuclear ring which have starburst ages of $\lesssim 10\,\mathrm{Myr}$ and find indications for an age gradient on the western side of the ring. In addition, our high-resolution data reveal further substructure within this ring which also shows enhanced star forming activity close to the nucleus.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

A low-luminosity type-1 QSO sample: IV. Molecular gas contents and conditions of star formation in three nearby Seyfert galaxies

We present a pilot study of ~ 3" resolution observations of low CO transitions with the Submillimeter Array in three nearby Seyfert galaxies, which are part of the low-luminosity quasi-stellar object (LLQSOs) sample consisting of 99 nearby (z = 0.06) type-1 active galactic nuclei (AGN) taken from the Hamburg/ESO quasi-stellar object (QSO) survey. Two sources were observed in 12CO(2-1) and 13CO(2-1) and the third in 12CO(3-2) and HCO+(4-3). None of the sources is detected in continuum emission. More than 80% of the 12CO detected molecular gas is concentrated within a diameter (FWHM) < 1.8 kpc. 13CO is tentatively detected, while HCO+ emission could not be detected. All three objects show indications of a kinematically decoupled central unresolved molecular gas component. The molecular gas masses of the three galaxies are in the range M_mol = (0.7 - 8.7) x 10^9 M_sun. We give lower limits for the dynamical masses of M_dyn > 1.5 x 10^9 M_sun and for the dust masses of M_dust > 1.6 x 10^6 M_sun. The R21 =12CO/13CO(2-1) line luminosity ratios show Galactic values of R21 ~ 5 - 7 in the outskirts and R21 > 20 in the central region, similar to starbursts and (ultra)luminous infrared galaxies ((U)LIRGs; i.e. LIRGs and ULIRGs), implying higher temperatures and stronger turbulence. All three sources show indications of 12CO(2-1)/12CO(1-0) ratios of ~ 0.5, suggesting a cold or diffuse gas phase. Strikingly, the 12CO(3-2)/(1-0) ratio of ~ 1 also indicates a higher excited phase. Since these galaxies have high infrared luminosities of L_IR > 10^11 L_sun and seem to contain a circumnuclear starburst with minimum surface densities of gas and star formation rate (SFR) around {\Sigma}_mol = 50 - 550 M_sun pc^-2 and {\Sigma}_SFR = 1.1 - 3.1 M_sun kpc^-2 yr^-1, we conclude that the interstellar medium in the centers of these LIRG Seyferts is strongly affected by violent star formation and better ...

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2017

Nature of the Galactic centre NIR-excess sources. I. What can we learn from the continuum observations of the DSO/G2 source?

The Dusty S-cluster Object (DSO/G2) orbiting the supermassive black hole (Sgr A*) in the Galactic centre has been monitored in both near-infrared continuum and line emission. There has been a dispute about the character and the compactness of the object: interpreting it as either a gas cloud or a dust-enshrouded star. A recent analysis of polarimetry data in $K_{\rm s}$-band ($2.2\,{\rm \mu m}$) allows us to put further constraints on the geometry of the DSO. The purpose of this paper is to constrain the nature and the geometry of the DSO. We compare 3D radiative transfer models of the DSO with the NIR continuum data including polarimetry. In the analysis, we use basic dust continuum radiative transfer theory implemented in the 3D Monte Carlo code Hyperion. Moreover, we implement analytical results of the two-body problem mechanics and the theory of non-thermal processes. We present a composite model of the DSO -- a dust-enshrouded star that consists of a stellar source, dusty, optically thick envelope, bipolar cavities, and a bow shock. This scheme can match the NIR total as well as polarized properties of the observed spectral energy distribution (SED). The SED may be also explained in theory by a young pulsar wind nebula that typically exhibits a large linear polarization degree due to magnetospheric synchrotron emission. The analysis of NIR polarimetry data combined with the radiative transfer modelling shows that the DSO is a peculiar source of compact nature in the S cluster $(r \lesssim 0.04\,{\rm pc})$. It is most probably a young stellar object embedded in a non-spherical dusty envelope, whose components include optically thick dusty envelope, bipolar cavities, and a bow shock. Alternatively, the continuum emission could be of a non-thermal origin due to the presence of a young neutron star and its wind nebula.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Correlations between Supermassive Black Holes and their Hosts in Active Galaxies

In the last decades several correlations between the mass of the central supermassive black hole (BH) and properties of the host galaxy - such as bulge luminosity and mass, central stellar velocity dispersion, S\'ersic index, spiral pitch angle etc. - have been found and point at a coevolution scenario of BH and host galaxy. In this article, I review some of these relations for inactive galaxies and discuss the findings for galaxies that host an active galactic nucleus/quasar. I present the results of our group that finds that active galaxies at $z\lesssim 0.1$ do not follow the BH mass - bulge luminosity relation. Furthermore, I show near-infrared integral-field spectroscopic data that suggest that young stellar populations cause the bulge overluminosity and indicate that the host galaxy growth started first. Finally, I discuss implications for the BH-host coevolution.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2016

Star formation and gas flows in the centre of the NUGA galaxy NGC 1808 observed with SINFONI

NGC 1808 is a nearby barred spiral galaxy which hosts young stellar clusters in a patchy circumnuclear ring with a radius of $\sim 240\,\mathrm{pc}$. In order to study the gaseous and stellar kinematics and the star formation properties of the clusters, we perform seeing-limited $H+K$-band near-infrared integral-field spectroscopy with SINFONI of the inner $\sim 600\,\mathrm{pc}$. From the $M_\mathrm{BH}-\sigma_*$ relation, we find a black hole mass of a few $10^7\,M_\odot$. We estimate the age of the young stellar clusters in the circumnuclear ring to be $\lesssim 10\,\mathrm{Myr}$. No age gradient along the ring is visible. However, the starburst age is comparable to the travel time along the ring, indicating that the clusters almost completed a full orbit along the ring during their life time. In the central $\sim 600\,\mathrm{pc}$, we find a hot molecular gas mass of $\sim 730\,M_\odot$ which, with standard conversion factors, corresponds to a large cold molecular gas reservoir of several $10^8\,M_\odot$, in accordance with CO measurements from the literature. The gaseous and stellar kinematics show several deviations from pure disc motion, including a circumnuclear disc and signs of a nuclear bar potential. In addition, we confirm streaming motions on $\sim 200\,\mathrm{pc}$ scale that have recently been detected in CO(1-0) emission. Due to our enhanced angular resolution of $<1\,\mathrm{arcsec}$, we find further streaming motion within the inner arcsecond, that have not been detected until now. Despite the flow of gas towards the centre, no signs for significant AGN activity are found. This raises the questions what determines whether the infalling gas will fuel an AGN or star formation.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

Conditions for star formation in nearby AGN and QSO hosts observed with near-infrared integral-field spectroscopy

Integral-field spectroscopy in the near-infrared (NIR) is a powerful tool to analyze the gaseous and stellar distributions and kinematics, as well as the excitation mechanisms in the centers of galaxies. The unique combination of NIR and sub-mm data at comparable high angular resolution, which has just been possible with SINFONI and ALMA, allows to trace warm and cold gas reservoirs. Only the NIR gives an unobscured view to the center and allows to study the conditions and impact of star formation in the centers of galaxies in a spatially resolved way. Here, we present recent studies of nearby Seyferts and low-luminosity QSOs performed by our group.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2015

A low-luminosity type-1 QSO sample. V. Overluminous host spheroids and their excitation mechanisms

We present near-infrared (NIR) $H+K$-band longslit spectra of eleven galaxies which are obtained with SOFI at the NTT (ESO). The galaxies are chosen from the low-luminosity type-1 quasi-stellar object (LLQSO) sample which comprises the 99 closest ($z\leq 0.06$) QSOs from the Hamburg/ESO survey for bright UV-excess QSOs. These objects are ideal targets to study the gap between local Seyfert galaxies and high-redshift quasars, since they show much stronger AGN activity compared to local objects but are still close enough for a detailed structural analysis. We fit hydrogen recombination, molecular hydrogen, and [FeII] lines after carefully subtracting the continuum emission. From the broad Pa$\alpha$ components, we estimate black hole masses and enlarge the sample of LLQSOs that show a deviation from the $M_\mathrm{BH}-L_\mathrm{bulge}$ relations of inactive galaxies from 12 to 16 objects. All objects show emission from hot dust ($T\sim 1200\,\mathrm{K}$) as well as stellar contribution. However, the particular fractions vary a lot between the objects. More than half of the objects show H$_2$ emission lines that are indicating a large reservoir of molecular gas which is needed to feed the AGN and star formation. In the NIR diagnostic diagram all objects lie in the location of AGN dominated objects. However, most of the objects show indications of star formation activity, suggesting that their offset location with respect to $M_\mathrm{BH}-L_\mathrm{bulge}$ relations of inactive galaxies may be a consequence of overluminous bulges.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2014

A low-luminosity type-1 QSO sample: II. Tracing circumnuclear star formation in HE 1029-1831 with SINFONI

Circumnuclear star formation and AGN feedback is believed to play a critical role in the context of galaxy evolution. The low-luminosity QSO (LLQSO) sample that contains 99 of the closest AGN with redshift z<=0.06 fills the gap between the local AGN population and high-redshift QSOs that is essential to understand the AGN evolution with redshift. In this paper, we present the results of near-infrared H+K-integral field spectroscopy of the inner kiloparsecs of the LLQSO HE 1029-1831 with SINFONI. Line maps show that ionized hydrogen gas is located in spiral arms within the stellar bar and in a circumnuclear ring. Line fluxes and diagnostic line ratios indicate recent or ongoing star formation in the circumnuclear region and the presence of young and intermediate-age stellar populations in the bulge. In particular, we find traces of an intense starburst in the circumnuclear region that has begun around 100 Myr ago but has declined to a fraction of the maximum intensity now. We estimate the dynamical bulge mass and find that the galaxy follows published M_BH-M_bulge relations. However, bulge-disk decomposition of the K-band image with BUDDA reveals that HE 1029-1831 does not follow the M_BH-L_bulge relations of inactive galaxies. We conclude that the deviation from M_BH-L_bulge relations of inactive galaxies in this source is rather caused by young stellar populations and not by an undermassive black hole.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2013

A low-luminosity type-1 QSO sample: I. Overluminous host spheroidals or undermassive black holes?

Recognizing the properties of the host galaxies of quasi-stellar objects (QSOs) is essential to understand the suspected coevolution of central supermassive black holes (BHs) and their host galaxies. We selected a subsample of the Hamburg/ESO survey for bright UV-excess QSOs, containing only the 99 nearest QSOs with redshift z<=0.06, that are close enough to allow detailed structural analysis. From this "low-luminosity type-1 QSO sample", we observed 20 galaxies and performed aperture photometry and bulge-disk-bar-AGN-decomposition with BUDDA on near-infrared J, H, K band images. From the photometric decomposition of these 20 objects and visual inspection of images of another 26, we find that ~50% of the hosts are disk galaxies and most of them (86%) are barred. Stellar masses, calculated from parametric models based on inactive galaxy colors, range from 2x10^9 M_sun to 2x10^11 M_sun. Black hole masses measured from single epoch spectroscopy range from 1x10^6 M_sun to 5x10^8 M_sun. In comparison to higher luminosity QSO samples, LLQSOs tend to have lower stellar and BH masses. Also, in the effective radius vs. mean surface-brightness projection of the fundamental plane, they lie in the transition area between luminous QSOs and "normal" galaxies. This can be seen as further evidence that they can be pictured as a "bridge" between the local Seyfert population and luminous QSOs at higher redshift. Eleven low-luminosity QSOs for which we have reliable morphological decompositions and BH mass estimations lie below the published BH mass vs. bulge luminosity relations for inactive galaxies. This could be partially explained by bulges of active galaxies containing much younger stellar populations than bulges of inactive galaxies. Also, one could suspect that their BHs are undermassive. This might hint at the growth of the host spheroid to precede that of the BH.

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

A low-redshift low luminosity QSO sample: Comparison with NUGA galaxies and PG QSOs and first interferometric images of three sample members

The low luminosity QSO (LLQSO) sample consists of type 1 active galactic nuclei (AGN) up to a redshift of z=0.06 in the Hamburg/ESO QSO survey. Its purpose is to study how the brightest AGN in the nearby universe evolve with respect to AGN activity and host properties as a function of redshift. We show that our sample lies well between the NUclei of GAlaxies (NUGA) sample and the Palomar Green (PG) QSO sample in terms of redshift, gas masses and luminosities and seems to connect them. The continuous growth in mass, luminosity and, linked to this, the AGN activity over the samples has either a statistical reason or is indicative of an evolutionary link between the different populations and might be related to cosmic downsizing. In addition, we present first results of our observations of three galaxies from our sample with the Submillimeter Array (SMA).

astro-ph.CO↗

arXiv2013

A low-luminosity type-1 QSO sample - A morphological study of nearby AGN hosts

There is growing evidence that every galaxy with a considerable spheroidal component hosts a supermassive black hole (SMBH) at its center. Strong correlations between the SMBH and the spheroidal component suggest a physical connection through a coevolutionary scenario. For very massive galaxies a merger-driven scenario is preferred, resulting in elliptical galaxies. In the nearby universe, we find many disk galaxies, showing no signs of recent interaction. Alternative secular evolutionary scenarios for such galaxies involve internal triggers like bars and spiral arms or minor mergers. We analyze a sample of 99 nearby galaxies (0.02 < z < 0.06) from the Hamburg/ESO survey in order to get insight into structural and dynamical properties of the hosts to trace the origin of the bulge-SMBH correlation. In this work, we first collect images of sample members to get an impression of the morphological distribution in the sample. In a second step, we start to analyze sensitive, high resolution near-infrared images of 20 galaxies, performing aperture photometry and bulge-disk decomposition with the BUDDA code. We find an unexpected high fraction of barred galaxies and many other structural peculiarities.

astro-ph.CO↗