GA-NIFS: NIRSpec reveals evidence for non-circular motions and AGN feedback in GN20
ABSTRACT We present rest-frame optical data of the $z\sim 4$ submillimetre galaxy GN20 obtained with the JWST Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) in integral field spectroscopy mode. The H$\alpha$ emission is asymmetric and clumpy and extends over a projected distance of >15 kpc. To first order, the large-scale ionized gas kinematics are consistent with a turbulent ($\sigma \sim 90$ km s$^{-1}$), rotating disc ($v_{\rm rot}\sim 500$ km s$^{-1}$), congruent with previous studies of its molecular and ionized gas kinematics. However, we also find clear evidence for non-circular motions in the H$\alpha$ kinematics. We discuss their possible connection with various scenarios, such as external perturbations, accretion, or radial flows. In the centre of GN20, we find broad-line emission (full width at half-maximum $\sim 1000{-}2000$ km s$^{-1}$) in the H$\alpha$ + [N ii] complex, suggestive of fast, active galactic nucleus-driven winds or, alternatively, of the broad-line region of an active black hole. Elevated values of [N ii] $\lambda 6583$/H$\alpha \ \gt\ 0.4$ and of the Hα equivalent width EW(H$\alpha)\ \gt\ 6$ Å throughout large parts of GN20 suggest that feedback from the active black hole is able to photoionize the interstellar medium. Our data corroborate that GN20 offers a unique opportunity to observe key processes in the evolution of the most massive present-day galaxies acting in concert, over 12 billion years ago.
Authors
- Nimisha Kumari (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5320-2568)
- G. Cresci (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5281-1417)
- Francesco D’Eugenio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2388-8172)
- Santiago Arribas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7997-1640)
- Bruno Rodríguez Del Pino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5171-3930)
- Michele Perna (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0362-5941)
- R. Maiolino (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4985-3819)
- Stefano Carniani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6719-380X)
- Chris J. Willott (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4201-7367)
- S. Charlot (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3458-2275)
- Hannah Übler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4891-0794)
- Isabella Lamperti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3336-5498)
- Jan Scholtz (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6010-6809)
- Andrew J. Bunker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8651-9879)
- Giacomo Venturi (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8349-3055)
- Eleonora Parlanti (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7392-7814)
- Gareth C Jones
- Torsten Böker
Institutions
- Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics (CA)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- Space Telescope Science Institute (US)
- Scuola Normale Superiore (IT)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory (IT)
- Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris (FR)
- Sorbonne Université (FR)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Centro de Astrobiología (ES)
- University College London (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Published
- 2024-08-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stae1993
- Citations
- 32
- Primary Topic
- Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 10.61
Funders
- Kavli Foundation
- UK Research and Innovation
- European Commission
- Isaac Newton Trust
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación
- Science and Technology Facilities Council
- Agencia Estatal de Investigación
- H2020 European Research Council