Ionized gas outflows and shock-heated emission in the highly inclined active galaxy CGCG 012-070

ABSTRACT Active galactic nuclei (AGNs) exhibit excess mid-infrared H$_2$ emission compared to star-forming galaxies, likely driven by outflows and shocks inferred from integrated spectra. We present optical IFU (integral field unit) observations of the central 2 kpc of the AGN host CGCG 012-070, selected for its pronounced H$_2$ emission excess, to map stellar and gas kinematics. The stellar velocity field is well described by a rotating disc with a line of nodes at $103^\circ \pm 4^\circ$, with the north-west side approaching and the southeast side receding. Gas kinematics, traced by strong emission lines, show two components: a narrow one ($\sigma \lesssim 200\, {\rm km\, s^{-1}}$) in the disc plane following stellar motions, and a broad ($\sigma \gtrsim 300\, {\rm km\, s^{-1}}$) associated with outflows within the inner $\sim$1 kpc. Disc gas emission is mainly driven by AGN photoionization, while the outflow also includes shock-heated gas, as indicated by flux ratio diagnostics. The outflows are radiatively driven, with a mass-outflow rate of $(0.067 \pm 0.026)\, {\rm M}_{\odot }\, {\rm yr^{-1}}$ and a kinetic coupling efficiency of 0.07 per cent, potentially redistributing gas and contributing to maintenance-mode feedback in CGCG 012-070. Our results provide further evidence that the warm H$_2$ emission excess in nearby AGN is associated with shocks produced by outflows. Observations of other gas phases, such as cold molecular gas, are necessary to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of the outflows on the host galaxy.