Spatially Resolved Ionized Outflows Extending to ∼ 2 kpc in Seyfert 1 Galaxy NGC 7469 Revealed by the Very Large Telescope/MUSE

Abstract

The Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7469 possesses a prominent nuclear starburst ring and a luminous active galactic nucleus (AGN). Evidence of an outflow in the innermost nuclear region has been found in previous works. We detect the ionized gas outflow on a larger scale in the galaxy using the archival Very Large Telescope/MUSE and Chandra observations. The optical emission lines are modeled using two Gaussian components, and a nonparametric approach is applied to measure the kinematics of [O iii] and Hα emitting gas. Line ratio diagnostics and spatially resolved maps are derived to examine the origin of the outflow. The kiloparsec-scale kinematics of [O iii] are dominated by a blueshifted component whereas the velocity map of Hα shows a rotational disk with a complex nonrotational substructure. The starburst wind around the circumnuclear ring is confirmed, and we find evidence of an AGN-driven outflow extending to a radial distance of ∼ 2 kpc from the nucleus, with a morphology consistent with a nearly face-on ionization cone. The previously reported circumnuclear outflow resembles part of the bright base. We derive mass and energy outflow rates for both the starburst wind and the AGN-driven outflow. The estimated kinetic coupling efficiency of the kiloparsec-scale AGN outflow is , lower than the threshold predicted by the “two-stage” theoretical model for effective feedback. Our results reinforce the importance of spatially resolved study to disentangle feedback where AGNs and starbursts coexist, which may be common during the cosmic noon of black hole and galaxy growth.