EMU Radio Observations of Barred Spiral Galaxy NGC 5938 (Araish)

Abstract We present multi-wavelength observations of the nearby spiral galaxy NGC5938 (Araish) to investigate the origin of its radio emission, specifically the contribution from active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity and star formation. Using Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) data, we detect extended radio emission extending outwards to the galactic axis, with a steep non-thermal spectral index (α = −1.2 ± 0.2) indicative of synchrotron radiation from an AGN jet. The jet has a physical extent of ≈ 8.2 kpc (angular length of 64″). Multi-wavelength data from The Dark Energy Camera Plane Survey 2 (DECaPS2),Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE), and extended Roentgen Survey with an Imaging Telescope Array (eROSITA) provide further support for this interpretation. The colour-colour diagram presenting WISE infrared observations suggests the presence of dust and young stars that trace the galaxy’s disk structure. Our analysis reveals a radio jet, alongside star formation traced by infrared emission, demonstrating the complex interplay of AGN activity and star formation in this well-resolved galaxy. Intriguingly, the spatial relationship reveals the brighter X-ray emission to be largely adjacent to and enveloping the extended radio emission. This suggests that the radio jet, while extending at a significant angle to the galactic disk, is confined by the larger X-ray gas/halo, similar to other systems (i.e., ESO 295–IG022, Centaurus A) and may indicate jet collimation and channelling effects.