Narrow-line Active Galactic Nuclei Research Articles

GA-NIFS: JWST discovers an offset AGN 740 million years after the big bang

ABSTRACT A surprising finding of recent studies is the large number of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) associated with moderately massive black holes ($\rm \log (M_\bullet /M_\odot)\sim 6-8$), in the first billion years after the big bang (z > 5). In this context, a relevant finding has been the large fraction of candidate dual AGN, both at large separations (several kpc) and in close pairs (less than a kpc), likely in the process of merging. Frequent black hole merging may be a route for black hole growth in the early universe; however, previous findings are still tentative and indirect. We present JWST/NIRSpec-IFU observations of a galaxy at z = 7.15 in which we find evidence for a $\rm \log (M_\bullet /M_\odot)\sim 7.7$ accreting black hole, as traced by a broad component of H β emission, associated with the Broad Line Region (BLR) around the black hole. This BLR is offset by 620 pc in projection from the centroid of strong rest-frame optical emission, with a velocity offset of ∼40 km s–1. The latter region is also characterized by (narrow) nebular emission features typical of AGN, hence also likely hosting another accreting black hole, although obscured (Type 2, narrow-line AGN). We exclude that the offset BLR is associated with Supernovae or massive stars, and we interpret these results as two black holes in the process of merging. This finding may be relevant for estimates of the rate and properties of gravitational-wave signals from the early universe that will be detected by future observatories like LISA.

AGNs in massive galaxy clusters: Role of galaxy merging, infalling groups, cluster mass, and dynamical state

Context. There is compelling evidence that active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in high-density regions have undergone a different evolution than their counterparts in the field, indicating that they are strongly affected by their environment. However, we still lack a comprehensive understanding of the dominant mechanisms that trigger the nucleus and the processes that drive the evolution of AGNs in clusters. Aims. To investigate (and possibly disentangle) the various factors that may affect the prevalence of AGNs in cluster galaxies, we selected a sample of 19 thoroughly studied X-ray-selected galaxy clusters from the LoCuSS survey. All these clusters are considered massive, with M500 ≳ 2 × 1014 M⊙, and span a narrow redshift range between z ∼ 0.16 and 0.28. Methods. We divided the cluster surroundings into two concentric annuli with a width of R500 radius. We considered the first annulus as the central cluster region and the second as the outskirts. We further divided the cluster sample based on the presence of infalling X-ray-detected groups, cluster mass, or dynamical state. We determined the AGN fraction in cluster galaxies of the various sub-samples by correlating the X-ray point-like sources selected from the 4XMM DR10 catalogue with the highly complete spectroscopic catalogue of cluster members obtained with Hectospec. We subsequently used the optical spectra to determine the type of nuclear activity and we visually inspected the host morphology for indications of galaxy mergers or other interactions. Results. We found that the X-ray AGN fraction in the outskirts is consistent with the field, but it is significantly lower in cluster centres, in agreement with previous results for massive clusters. We show that these results do not depend on cluster mass, at least within our cluster mass range, nor on the presence of X-ray-detected infalling groups. Furthermore, we did not find any evidence of a spatial correlation between infalling groups and AGNs. Nevertheless, a significant excess of X-ray AGNs is found in the outskirts of relaxed clusters at the 2σ confidence level, compared both to non-relaxed clusters and to the field. Finally, according to the literature, the fraction of broad- to narrow-line AGNs in clusters is roughly consistent with the field. However, broad-line AGNs may be preferably located in cluster centres. In the outskirts, the optical spectra of X-ray AGNs present narrow emission lines or they are dominated by stellar emission. Conclusions. Our results suggest that the mechanisms that trigger AGN activity may vary between cluster centres and the outskirts. Ram pressure can efficiently remove the gas from infalling galaxies, thereby triggering AGN activity in some cases. However, the reduced availability of gas globally diminishes the fraction of AGNs in cluster centers. The surplus of X-ray AGNs identified in the outskirts of relaxed clusters may be attributed to an increased frequency of galaxy mergers, a notion that is further supported by the disturbed morphology observed in several galaxies.

A complete catalogue of broad-line AGNs and double-peaked emission lines from MaNGA integral-field spectroscopy of 10K galaxies: stellar population of AGNs, supermassive black holes, and dual AGNs

ABSTRACT We analyse the integral field spectroscopy data for the ≈10 000 galaxies in final data release of the MaNGA survey. We identify 188 galaxies for which the emission lines cannot be described by single Gaussian components. These galaxies can be classified into (1) 38 galaxies with broad $\rm H\alpha$ and [O iii] $\rm \lambda$5007 lines, (2) 101 galaxies with broad $\rm H\alpha$ lines but no broad [O iii] $\rm \lambda$5007 lines, and (3) 49 galaxies with double-peaked narrow emission lines. Most of the broad-line galaxies are classified as active galactic nuclei (AGNs) from their line ratios. The catalogue helps us further understand the AGN-galaxy coevolution through the stellar population of broad-line region host galaxies and the relation between broad lines’ properties and the host galaxies’ dynamical properties. The stellar population properties (including mass, age, and metallicity) of broad-line host galaxies suggest there is no significant difference between narrow-line Seyfert-2 galaxies and Type-1 AGNs with broad $\rm H\alpha$ lines. We use the broad-$\rm H\alpha$ line width and luminosity to estimate masses of black hole in these galaxies, and test the MBH–σe relation in Type-1 AGN host galaxies. Furthermore, we find three dual AGN candidates supported by radio images from the VLA FIRST survey. This sample may be useful for further studies on AGN activities and feedback processes.

High-z galaxies with JWST and local analogues – it is not only star formation

ABSTRACT I present an analysis of the JWST NIRSpec data of SMACS 0723 released as Early Release Observations. As part of this three new redshifts are provided, bringing the total of reliable redshifts to 14. I propose a modification to the direct abundance determination method that reduces sensitivity to flux calibration uncertainties by a factor of ∼3 and show that the resulting abundances are in good agreement with Bayesian photoionization models of the rest-frame optical spectrum. I also show that 6355 is most likely a narrow-line active galactic nucleus (AGN) with $M_*\lt 10^9\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ at z = 7.66 and argue that 10 612 might also have an AGN contribution to its flux through comparison to photoionization models and low-redshift analogues. Under the assumption that the lines come from star formation, I find that the galaxies have gas depletion times of ∼107 yr, comparable to similar galaxies locally. I also identify a population of possibly shock-dominated galaxies at z < 3, whose near-IR emission lines plausibly come nearly all from shocks and discuss their implications. I close with a discussion of the potential for biases in the determination of the mass–metallicity relation using samples defined by detected [O iii]4363 and show using low-z galaxies that this can lead to biases of up to 0.5 dex with a systematic trend with mass.

Revisiting Emission-line Measurement Methods for Narrow-line Active Galactic Nuclei

Measuring broad emission-line widths in active galactic nuclei (AGN) is not straightforward owing to the complex nature of flux variability in these systems. Line width measurements become especially challenging when the signal-to-noise ratio is low, profiles are narrower, or spectral resolution is low. We conducted an extensive correlation analysis between emission-line measurements from the optical spectra of Markarian 142 (Mrk 142; a narrow-line Seyfert galaxy) taken with the Gemini North Telescope (Gemini) at a spectral resolution of 185.6 ± 10.2 km s−1 and the Lijiang Telescope (LJT) at 695.2 ± 3.9 km s−1 to investigate the disparities in the measured broad-line widths from both telescopes’ data. Due to its narrow broad-line profiles, which were severely affected by instrumental broadening in the lower-resolution LJT spectra, Mrk 142 posed a challenge. We discovered that allowing the narrow-line flux of permitted lines having broad and narrow components to vary during spectral fitting caused a leak in the narrow-line flux to the broad component, resulting in broader broad-line widths in the LJT spectra. Fixing the narrow-line flux ratios constrained the flux leak and yielded the Hβ broad-line widths from LJT spectra ∼54% closer to the Gemini Hβ widths than with flexible narrow-line ratios. The availability of spectra at different resolutions presented this unique opportunity to inspect how spectral resolution affected emission-line profiles in our data and adopt a unique method to accurately measure broad-line widths. Reconsidering line measurement methods while studying diverse AGN populations is critical for the success of future reverberation-mapping studies. Based on the technique used in this work, we offer recommendations for measuring line widths in narrow-line AGN.

Probing the Structure and Evolution of BASS Active Galactic Nuclei through Eddington Ratios

We constrain the intrinsic Eddington ratio (λ Edd) distribution function for local active galactic nuclei (AGN) in bins of low and high obscuration and ], using the Swift Burst Alert Telescope 70 month/BASS DR2 survey. We interpret the fraction of obscured AGN in terms of circumnuclear geometry and temporal evolution. Specifically, at low Eddington ratios (−2), obscured AGN outnumber unobscured ones by a factor of ∼4, reflecting the covering factor of the circumnuclear material (0.8, or a torus opening angle of ∼34°). At high Eddington ratios (−1), the trend is reversed, with <30% of AGN having , which we suggest is mainly due to the small fraction of time spent in a highly obscured state. Considering the Eddington ratio distribution function of narrow-line and broad-line AGN from our prior work, we see a qualitatively similar picture. To disentangle temporal and geometric effects at high λ Edd, we explore plausible clearing scenarios such that the time-weighted covering factors agree with the observed population ratio. We find that the low fraction of obscured AGN at high λ Edd is primarily due to the fact that the covering factor drops very rapidly, with more than half the time spent with <10% covering factor. We also find that nearly all obscured AGN at high-λ Edd exhibit some broad lines. We suggest that this is because the height of the depleted torus falls below the height of the broad-line region, making the latter visible from all lines of sight.

BASS. XXIV. The BASS DR2 Spectroscopic Line Measurements and AGN Demographics

We present the second catalog and data release of optical spectral line measurements and active galactic nucleus (AGN) demographics of the BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey, which focuses on the Swift-BAT hard X-ray detected AGNs. We use spectra from dedicated campaigns and publicly available archives to investigate spectral properties of most of the AGNs listed in the 70 month Swift-BAT all-sky catalog; specifically, 743 of the 746 unbeamed and unlensed AGNs (99.6%). We find a good correspondence between the optical emission line widths and the hydrogen column density distributions using the X-ray spectra, with a clear dichotomy of AGN types for N H = 1022 cm−2. Based on optical emission-line diagnostics, we show that 48%–75% of BAT AGNs are classified as Seyfert, depending on the choice of emission lines used in the diagnostics. The fraction of objects with upper limits on line emission varies from 6% to 20%. Roughly 4% of the BAT AGNs have lines too weak to be placed on the most commonly used diagnostic diagram, [O iii]λ5007/Hβ versus [N ii]λ6584/Hα, despite the high signal-to-noise ratio of their spectra. This value increases to 35% in the [O iii]λ5007/[O ii]λ3727 diagram, owing to difficulties in line detection. Compared to optically selected narrow-line AGNs in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, the BAT narrow-line AGNs have a higher rate of reddening/extinction, with Hα/Hβ > 5 (∼36%), indicating that hard X-ray selection more effectively detects obscured AGNs from the underlying AGN population. Finally, we present a subpopulation of AGNs that feature complex broad lines (34%, 250/743) or double-peaked narrow emission lines (2%, 17/743).

BASS. XXVI. DR2 Host Galaxy Stellar Velocity Dispersions

We present new central stellar velocity dispersions for 484 Sy 1.9 and Sy 2 from the second data release of the Swift/BAT AGN Spectroscopic Survey (BASS DR2). This constitutes the largest study of velocity dispersion measurements in X-ray-selected obscured active galactic nuclei (AGN) with 956 independent measurements of the Ca ii H and K λ3969, 3934 and Mg I λ5175 region (3880–5550 Å) and the calcium triplet region (8350–8730 Å) from 642 spectra mainly from VLT/X-Shooter or Palomar/DoubleSpec. Our sample spans velocity dispersions of 40–360 km s1, corresponding to 4–5 orders of magnitude in black hole mass (M BH = 105.5−9.6 M ⊙), bolometric luminosity (L bol ∼ 1042–46 erg s−1), and Eddington ratio (L/L Edd ∼ 10−5 to 2). For 281 AGN, our data and analysis provide the first published central velocity dispersions, including six AGN with low-mass black holes (M BH = 105.5−6.5 M ⊙), discovered thanks to high spectral resolution observations (σ inst ∼ 25 km s−1). The survey represents a significant advance with a nearly complete census of velocity dispersions of hard X-ray–selected obscured AGN with measurements for 99% of nearby AGN (z < 0.1) outside the Galactic plane (∣b∣ > 10°). The BASS AGN have much higher velocity dispersions than the more numerous optically selected narrow-line AGN (i.e., ∼150 versus ∼100 km s−1) but are not biased toward the highest velocity dispersions of massive ellipticals (i.e., >250 km s−1). Despite sufficient spectral resolution to resolve the velocity dispersions associated with the bulges of small black holes (∼104–5 M ⊙), we do not find a significant population of super-Eddington AGN. Using estimates of the black hole sphere of influence from velocity dispersion, direct stellar and gas black hole mass measurements could be obtained with existing facilities for more than ∼100 BASS AGN.

X-ray selected narrow-line active galactic nuclei in the COSMOS field: Nature of optically dull active galactic nuclei

Abstract X-ray emission detection in a galaxy is one of the efficient tools for selecting active galactic nuclei (AGNs). However, many X-ray-selected AGNs are not easily selected as AGNs by their optical emission. These galaxies, so-called optically dull (OD) AGNs, are fascinating since their X-ray emission is bright even though the AGN signature in the optical regime is absent. In a deep multiwavelength survey over 2 deg2 of the Cosmic Evolution Survey (COSMOS) field, we have looked for the OD AGNs using photometric, spectroscopic, and X-ray data. We identified 310 non-broad line sources with optical spectra as AGNs using X-ray selection up to redshift z ∼ 1.5. We inspected the spectra to check for any AGN signature in their optical emission lines: [Ne v] forbidden emission line, Mass Excitation diagram (MEx), color excitation diagram (TBT), and excess in [O ii] emission line. Finally, we found 48 AGNs that show AGN signatures in the optical spectrum, classified as narrow-line AGN, and 180 AGNs that did not show any AGN signature as the OD AGN sample. Simple explanations of the nature of OD AGNe are a bright host galaxy that dilutes the AGN light or dust materials obscuring the AGN light. We found that the bright host galaxy dilution explains nearly $70\%$ of our OD AGN sample. At the same time, the dust material obscuration is unlikely to be the main reason. By estimating the Eddington ratio, we also found that 95 out of 180 of our OD AGNs have a lower accretion rate, (λEdd) ≲ 10−2, than the typical AGN value. We expected the lower accretion rate sources that suffer from neither host galaxy dilution nor obscuration to have radiatively inefficient flow (RIAF) in their accretion disk. Finally, nine sources have been identified to be most likely hosts of the RIAF disk.

MALS SALT-NOT Survey of MIR-selected Powerful Radio-bright AGN at 0 < z < 3.5

We present results of an optical spectroscopic survey using SALT and the Nordic Optical Telescope to build a Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer mid-infrared color-based, dust-unbiased sample of powerful radio-bright (>200 mJy at 1.4 GHz) active galactic nuclei (AGN) for the MeerKAT Absorption Line Survey (MALS). Our sample has 250 AGN (median z = 1.8) showing emission lines, 26 with no emission lines, and 27 without optical counterparts. Overall, our sample is fainter (Δi = 0.6 mag) and redder (Δ(g−i) = 0.2 mag) than radio-selected quasars, and representative of fainter quasar population detected in optical surveys. About 20% of the sources are narrow-line AGN (NLAGN)–65% of these, at z < 0.5 are galaxies without strong nuclear emission, and 10% at z > 1.9, have emission line ratios similar to radio galaxies. The farthest NLAGN in our sample is M1513-2524 (z em = 3.132), and the largest radio source (size ∼330 kpc) is M0909-3133 (z em = 0.884). We discuss in detail 110 AGN at 1.9 < z < 3.5. Despite representing the radio loudest quasars (median R = 3685), their Eddington ratios are similar to the Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasars having lower R. We detect four C iv broad-absorption line (BAL) QSOs, all among AGN with least R, and highest black hole masses and Eddington ratios. The BAL detection rate (%) is consistent with that seen in extremely powerful (L 1.4GHz > 1025 W Hz−1) quasars. Using optical light curves, radio polarization, and γ-ray detections, we identify seven high-probability BL Lacertae objects. We also summarize the full MALS footprint to search for H i 21 cm and OH 18 cm lines at z < 2.

A Uniformly Selected, Southern-sky 6dF, Optical AGN Catalog

Abstract We have constructed a catalog of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with z &lt; 0.13, based on optical spectroscopy, from the parent sample of galaxies in the Six-Degree Field (6dF) galaxy survey (Final Release of 6dFGS), a census of the Southern Hemisphere. This work is an extension of our all-sky AGN catalog in Zaw et al. (ZCF, hereafter). The ZCF is based on 43,533 galaxies with K s ≤ 11.75 (z ≤ 0.09) in the Two Micron All-Sky Survey (2MASS) Redshift Survey (2MRS). The parent catalog of this work, the 6dF catalog, consists of 136,304 publicly available digital spectra for 125,071 galaxies with decl. ≤ 0° and K s ≤ 12.65 (median z = 0.053). Our AGN catalog consists of 3109 broadline AGNs and 12,156 narrowline AGNs which satisfy the 2003 criteria, of which 3865 also satisfy the 2001 criteria. We also provide emission-line widths, fluxes, flux errors, and signal-to-noise ratios of all the galaxies in our spectroscopic sample, allowing users to customize the selection criteria. In addition, we provide the AGN likelihood for the rest of galaxies based on the availability and quality of their spectra. These likelihood values can be used for rigorous statistical analyses.

Spectroscopy of an extreme [O iii] emitting active galactic nucleus at z = 3.212: implications for the reionization era

ABSTRACT Reionization-era galaxies often display intense nebular emission lines, both in rest-frame optical ([O iii] + H β) and ultraviolet (UV; C iii], C iv). How such strong nebular emission is powered remains unclear, with both active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and hot stars considered equally viable. The UV continuum slopes of these early systems tend to be very blue (β &amp;lt; −2), reflecting minimal dust obscuration, young ages, and low metallicities. This contrasts with narrow-lined AGNs at $z$ ∼ 2−3, whose UV slopes are significantly redder (β &amp;gt; −1) than typical star-forming systems in the reionization era. To investigate the properties of AGNs in the reionization era, we have conducted a search for potential examples of rare analogues with blue continua at intermediate redshift ($z$ ∼ 2−3). Our goals are to determine whether AGNs with intense line emission and blue continua exist and thereby to establish the range of rest-frame UV and optical line ratios in this population. In this paper, we report the detection of an X-ray luminous AGN at $z$ = 3.21 (UDS-24561) with extreme [O iii] + H β line emission (equivalent width = 1300 Å) and a blue UV continuum slope (β = −2.34). MMT/Binospec and Keck/MOSFIRE spectra indicate rest-frame UV line ratios consistent with AGN photoionization models and rest-frame optical lines with both a narrow component [full width at half-maximum (FWHM) $=154\, {\rm km\, s}^{-1}$] and extended broad wings (FWHM $=977\, {\rm km\, s}^{-1}$), consistent with outflowing gas. We describe how such objects can be identified in future James Webb Space Telescope emission line surveys in the reionization era, thereby providing a valuable census of AGN activity at $z$ &amp;gt; 6 and understanding their contribution to cosmic reionization.

A uniformly selected, all-sky, optical AGN catalogue

AbstractWe have constructed an all-sky AGN catalogue, based on optical spectroscopy, from the parent sample of galaxies in the 2MASS Redshift Survey (2MRS), a near-complete census of the nearby (z &lt; 0.09) universe. In addition to identifying the 8491 AGNs and providing line measurements for all the emission line galaxies so that the users can customise the selection criteria, we assess the affects of spectral quality on AGN identification. We find that spectral signal-to-noise and resolution affect not only the overall AGN detection rates but also the broad-line to narrow-line AGN ratios. These systematic effects must be taken into account when using any optical AGN catalogue and in comparing the results from different catalogues. We develop a way to account for the inhomogeneities by parametrizing the AGN detection rates as a function of the spectral signal-to-noise, making our catalogue suitable for statistical analyses. We will also present cross-correlation studies between this catalogue and all-sky catalogs at other wavelengths to better understand the different physical processes which lead to the emission at different wavelengths.

1ES 1927+654: An AGN Caught Changing Look on a Timescale of Months

Abstract We study the sudden optical and ultraviolet (UV) brightening of 1ES 1927+654, which until now was known as a narrow-line active galactic nucleus (AGN). 1ES 1927+654 was part of the small and peculiar class of “true Type-2” AGNs that lack broad emission lines and line-of-sight obscuration. Our high-cadence spectroscopic monitoring captures the appearance of a blue, featureless continuum, followed several weeks later by the appearance of broad Balmer emission lines. This timescale is generally consistent with the expected light travel time between the central engine and the broadline emission region in (persistent) broadline AGN. Hubble Space Telescope spectroscopy reveals no evidence for broad UV emission lines (e.g., C iv λ1549, C iii] λ1909, Mg ii λ2798), probably owing to dust in the broadline emission region. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case where the lag between the change in continuum and in broadline emission of a “changing look” AGN has been temporally resolved. The nature and timescales of the photometric and spectral evolution disfavor both a change in line-of-sight obscuration and a change of the overall rate of gas inflow as driving the drastic spectral transformations seen in this AGN. Although the peak luminosity and timescales are consistent with those of tidal disruption events seen in inactive galaxies, the spectral properties are not. The X-ray emission displays a markedly different behavior, with frequent flares on timescales of hours to days, and will be presented in a companion publication.

The nature of faint radio galaxies at high redshifts

ABSTRACT We present spectra and near-infrared images of a sample of faint radio sources initially selected as promising high-redshift radio galaxy (HzRG) candidates. We have determined redshifts for a total of 13 radio galaxies with redshifts ranging from 0.52 ≤ $z$ ≤ 5.72. Our sample probes radio luminosities that are almost an order of magnitude fainter than previous large samples at the highest redshifts. We use near-infrared photometry for a subsample of these galaxies to calculate stellar masses using simple stellar population models, and find stellar masses to be in the range $10^{10.8} {--}10^{11.7} \, \mathrm{M}_\odot$. We then compare our faint radio galaxies with brighter radio galaxies at $z$ ≥ 2 from the literature. We find that fainter radio galaxies have lower Ly α luminosities and narrower line widths compared to the bright ones, implying photoionization by a weaker active galactic nucleus (AGN). We also rule out the presence of strong shocks in faint HzRGs. The stellar masses determined for faint HzRGs are lower than those observed for brighter ones. We find that faint HzRG population in the redshift range 2–4 forms a bridge between star-forming and narrow-line AGNs, whereas the ones at $z$ &amp;gt; 4 are likely to be dominated by star formation, and may be building up their stellar mass through cold accretion of gas. Finally, we show that the overall redshift evolution of radio sizes at $z$ &amp;gt; 2 is fully compatible with increased inverse Compton scattering losses at high redshifts.

Recalibration of [O ii]λ3727 as a Star Formation Rate Estimator for Active and Inactive Galaxies

We investigate the use of the [O ii] λ3727 emission line as a star formation rate (SFR) estimator using Sloan Digital Sky Spectra for nearly 100,000 star-forming galaxies and 5500 galaxies with narrow-line active galactic nuclei. Consistent with previous work, we find that the [O ii]/Hα ratio in star-forming galaxies depends strongly on gas-phase metallicity. Using metallicities derived from the [N ii] λ6584/[O ii] λ3727 method, we refine a metallicity-dependent SFR estimator based on [O ii] that is calibrated within a scatter of 0.056 dex against the more commonly used SFR indicator based on Hα emission. The scatter increases to only 0.12 dex if the metallicity is estimated using the stellar mass–metallicity relation. With the aim of extending the [O ii]-based SFR estimator to active galaxies, we calculate radiation pressure-dominated photoionization models to constrain the amount of [O ii] emission arising from the narrow-line region. We use the sample of active galaxies to demonstrate that the SFRs derived from [O ii], after accounting for nonstellar contamination, are consistent with independent SFR diagnostics estimated from the stellar continuum of the host galaxies.

A Uniformly Selected, All-sky, Optical AGN Catalog

Abstract We have constructed an all-sky catalog of optical active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with z &lt; 0.09, based on optical spectroscopy, from the parent sample of galaxies in the 2MASS Redshift Survey, a near-complete census of the nearby universe. Our catalog consists of 1929 broad-line AGNs and 6562 narrow-line AGNs that satisfy the Kauffmann et al. criteria, of which 3607 also satisfy the Kewley et al. criteria. We also report emission-line widths, fluxes, flux errors, and signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) of all the galaxies in our spectroscopic sample, allowing users to customize the selection criteria. Although we uniformly processed the spectra of galaxies from a homogeneous parent sample, inhomogeneities persist owing to the differences in the quality of the obtained spectra, taken with different instruments, and the unavailability of spectra for ∼20% of the galaxies. We quantify how the differences in spectral quality affect not only the AGN detection rates but also ratios of broad-line to narrow-line AGNs. We find that the inhomogeneities primarily stem from the continuum S/N in the spectra near the emission lines of interest. We fit for the AGN fraction as a function of continuum S/N and assign AGN likelihoods to galaxies that were not identified as AGNs using the available spectra. This correction results in a catalog suitable for statistical studies. This work also paves the way for a truly homogeneous and complete nearby AGN catalog by identifying galaxies whose AGN status needs to be verified with higher-quality spectra, quantifying the spectral quality necessary to do so.

Revisiting the clustering of narrow-line AGN in the local Universe: Joint dependence on stellar mass and colour

We investigate the clustering and dark halo properties for the narrow-line active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the SDSS, particularly examining the joint dependence on galaxy mass and color. AGN in galaxies with blue colors or massive red galaxies with M*>~10^{10.5}Msun are found to show almost identical clustering amplitudes at all scales to control galaxies of the same mass, color and structural parameters. This suggests AGN activity in blue galaxies or massive red galaxies is regulated by internal processes, with no correlation with environment. The antibias of AGN at scales between ~100kpc and a few Mpc, as found in Li et al. (2006) for the AGN as a whole, is observed only for the AGN hosted by galaxies with red colors and relatively low masses <10^{10.5}Msun. A simple halo model in which AGN are preferentially found at dark halo centers can reproduce the observational results, but requiring a mass-dependent central fraction which is a factor of ~4 higher than the fraction estimated from the SDSS group catalogue. The same group catalogue reveals that the host groups of AGN in red satellites tend to have lower halo masses than control galaxies, while the host groups of AGN in red centrals tend to form earlier, as indicated by a larger stellar mass gap between the two most massive galaxies in the groups. Our result implies that the mass assembly history of dark halos may play an additional role in the AGN activity in low-mass red galaxies.

Broad-line region structure and line profile variations in the changing look AGN HE 1136-2304

Aims. A strong X-ray outburst was detected in HE 1136-2304 in 2014. Accompanying optical spectra revealed that the spectral type has changed from a nearly Seyfert 2 type (1.95), classified by spectra taken 10 and 20 years ago, to a Seyfert 1.5 in our most recent observations. We seek to investigate a detailed spectroscopic campaign on the spectroscopic properties and spectral variability behavior of this changing look AGN and compare this to other variable Seyfert galaxies. Methods. We carried out a detailed spectroscopic variability campaign of HE 1136-2304 with the 10 m Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) between 2014 December and 2015 July. Results. The broad-line region (BLR) of HE 1136-2304 is stratified with respect to the distance of the line-emitting regions. The integrated emission line intensities of Hα, Hβ, He I λ5876, and He II λ4686 originate at distances of 15.0−3.8+4.2, 7.5−5.7+4.6, 7.3−4.4+2.8, and 3.0−3.7+5.3 light days with respect to the optical continuum at 4570 Å. The variability amplitudes of the integrated emission lines are a function of distance to the ionizing continuum source as well. We derived a central black hole mass of 3.8 ± 3.1 × 107 M⊙ based on the linewidths and distances of the BLR. The outer line wings of all BLR lines respond much faster to continuum variations indicating a Keplerian disk component for the BLR. The response in the outer wings is about two light days shorter than the response of the adjacent continuum flux with respect to the ionizing continuum flux. The vertical BLR structure in HE 1136-2304 confirms a general trend that the emission lines of narrow line active galactic nuclei (AGNs) originate at larger distances from the midplane in comparison to AGNs showing broader emission lines. Otherwise, the variability behavior of this changing look AGN is similar to that of other AGN.

Probing AGN inner structure with X-ray obscured type 1 AGN

Using the X-ray-selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) from the XMM-XXL north survey and the SDSS Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey (BOSS) spectroscopic follow-up of them, we compare the properties of X-ray unobscured and obscured broad-line AGN (BLAGN1 and BLAGN2; $N_\textrm{H}$below and above $10^{21.5}$ cm$^{-2}$), including their X-ray luminosity $L_X$, black hole mass, Eddington ratio $\lambda_{\textrm{Edd}}$, optical continuum and line features. We find that BLAGN2 have systematically larger broad line widths and hence apparently higher (lower) $M_{\textrm{BH}}$ ($\lambda_{\textrm{Edd}}$) than BLAGN1. We also find that the X-ray obscuration in BLAGN tends to coincide with optical dust extinction, which is optically thinner than that in narrow-line AGN (NLAGN) and likely partial-covering to the broad line region. All the results can be explained in the framework of a multi-component, clumpy torus model by interpreting BLAGN2 as an intermediate type between BLAGN1 and NLAGN in terms of an intermediate inclination angle.