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Astro-seminars
A Fresh (and Icy) Dusty Molecular Perspective on Active Galaxies: Insights from JWST
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Europe/Madrid
00.303.0 - Aula 13 (Facultad de Ciencias Físicas)
00.303.0 - Aula 13
Facultad de Ciencias Físicas
30
Description
Nowadays, it is widely accepted that most galaxies undergo an active phase in their evolution. The impact of the energy released by active galactic nuclei (AGN) on the interstellar medium (ISM) of the host galaxy has been proposed as a key mechanism responsible for regulating star formation (SF). Dust grains, gas, and molecules are excellent tracers of the SMBH-host-galaxy connection. The IR waveband is host to numerous spectral features that serve as sensitive barometers of the physical conditions in the ISM. These include dust features, organic molecules such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), small organic molecules, hydrogen, and water, which are now accessible with JWST and ALMA.
In this talk, I will summarize our recent JWST work, demonstrating that dust grains and organic molecules (from small hydrocarbons to complex PAHs) are essential tools for tracing AGN feedback from the innermost regions to kpc scales, and for identifying deeply obscured galactic nuclei in both nearby and distant galaxies.
Our recent findings indicate that nuclear PAH emission in AGN is primarily dominated by neutral PAHs, in contrast to the ionized PAHs in star-forming regions, which are less stable due to "Coulomb explosions”. This trend has been recently confirmed in a larger sample of AGN, and provides evidence that AGN-outflows have a significant impact on the properties of PAH molecules. These results highlight the great potential of these organic molecules in disentangling AGN feedback. New JWST observations also provide valuable insights into the formation and destruction of PAHs, offering exciting opportunities to understand the crucial role that other small organic molecules play in ISM chemistry and their relationship with more complex molecules such as PAHs.
In this talk, I will summarize our recent JWST work, demonstrating that dust grains and organic molecules (from small hydrocarbons to complex PAHs) are essential tools for tracing AGN feedback from the innermost regions to kpc scales, and for identifying deeply obscured galactic nuclei in both nearby and distant galaxies.
Our recent findings indicate that nuclear PAH emission in AGN is primarily dominated by neutral PAHs, in contrast to the ionized PAHs in star-forming regions, which are less stable due to "Coulomb explosions”. This trend has been recently confirmed in a larger sample of AGN, and provides evidence that AGN-outflows have a significant impact on the properties of PAH molecules. These results highlight the great potential of these organic molecules in disentangling AGN feedback. New JWST observations also provide valuable insights into the formation and destruction of PAHs, offering exciting opportunities to understand the crucial role that other small organic molecules play in ISM chemistry and their relationship with more complex molecules such as PAHs.
Organized by
Enrica Bellocchi
