AGN feedback in the Local Universe: Multiphase outflow of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5506

Abstract

We present new optical GTC/MEGARA seeing-limited (0.9″) integral-field observations of NGC 5506, together with ALMA observations of the CO(3 − 2) transition at a 0.2″ (∼25 pc) resolution. NGC 5506 is a luminous (bolometric luminosity of ∼1044 erg s−1) nearby (26 Mpc) Seyfert galaxy, part of the Galaxy Activity, Torus, and Outflow Survey (GATOS). We modelled the CO(3 − 2) kinematics with 3DBAROLO, revealing a rotating and outflowing cold gas ring within the central 1.2 kpc. We derived an integrated cold molecular gas mass outflow rate for the ring of ∼8 M⊙ yr−1. We fitted the optical emission lines with a maximum of two Gaussian components to separate rotation from non-circular motions. We detected high [OIII]λ5007 projected velocities (up to ∼1000 km s−1) at the active galactic nucleus (AGN) position, decreasing with radius to an average ∼330 km s−1 around ∼350 pc. We also modelled the [OIII] gas kinematics with a non-parametric method, estimating the ionisation parameter and electron density in every spaxel, from which we derived an ionised mass outflow rate of 0.076 M⊙ yr−1 within the central 1.2 kpc. Regions of high CO(3 − 2) velocity dispersion, extending to projected distances of ∼350 pc from the AGN, appear to be the result from the interaction of the AGN wind with molecular gas in the galaxy’s disc. Additionally, we find the ionised outflow to spatially correlate with radio and soft X-ray emission in the central kiloparsec. We conclude that the effects of AGN feedback in NGC 5506 manifest as a large-scale ionised wind interacting with the molecular disc, resulting in outflows extending to radial distances of 610 pc.