A dual AGN at z=5.4 associated with a Lyman-alpha nebula in the centre of a cosmic filament
The result's identifiers
Result code in IS VaVaI
<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F67985815%3A90106%2F25%3A00646362" target="_blank" >RIV/67985815:90106/25:00646362 - isvavai.cz</a>
Result on the web
<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf1992" target="_blank" >https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf1992</a>
DOI - Digital Object Identifier
<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/mnras/staf1992" target="_blank" >10.1093/mnras/staf1992</a>
Alternative languages
Result language
angličtina
Original language name
A dual AGN at z=5.4 associated with a Lyman-alpha nebula in the centre of a cosmic filament
Original language description
Predictions from current theories and simulations suggest that dual active galactic nucleus (AGN) systems are exceedingly rare at high redshifts. The intense radiation and powerful outflows from AGNs regulate star formation, heat the interstellar medium, and drive massive gas outflows that shape the host galaxy and its surroundings. One manifestation of AGN feedback is the creation of extended Ly alpha nebulae. However, identifying these systems at high-z is challenging. Here, we report a remarkable dual AGN candidate at z similar to 5.4 using James Webb Space Telescope NIRCam ( Near-Infrared Camera ) and NIRSpec ( Near-Infrared Spectrograph ), with a separation of similar to 1.7 arcsec (similar to 10.4 pkpc). This is one of the highest spectroscopically confirmed redshift dual AGNs discovered. Photometric spectral energy distribution fitting shows excellent agreement with AGN templates, strongly suggesting a rare dual AGN system. Baldwin, Phillips & Terlevich (BPT) diagrams and high ionization lines further support the presence of AGNs. Very Large Telescope/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer (VLT/MUSE) observations reveal strong extended Ly alpha emission, extending to > 22 kpc, making it one of the most extended Ly alpha nebulae at z similar to 6. This provides observational evidence of anisotropic AGN-driven photoionization or shocks. The high Ly alpha escape fraction also indicates an AGN outflow. This dual AGN candidate is also associated with a well-defined overdensity, potentially at the centre of a z similar to 5.4 protocluster or filamentary structure node. Further analysis indicates the fraction of dual AGNs is significantly higher than theoretically expected at high redshifts. This discovery provides a new opportunity to study dual AGN interactions and their impact on the circumgalactic medium and cosmic structure evolution.
Czech name
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Czech description
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Classification
Type
J<sub>imp</sub> - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database
CEP classification
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OECD FORD branch
10308 - Astronomy (including astrophysics,space science)
Result continuities
Project
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Continuities
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Others
Publication year
2025
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data specific for result type
Name of the periodical
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
ISSN
0035-8711
e-ISSN
1365-2966
Volume of the periodical
544
Issue of the periodical within the volume
4
Country of publishing house
US - UNITED STATES
Number of pages
13
Pages from-to
4160-4172
UT code for WoS article
001628273000001
EID of the result in the Scopus database
2-s2.0-105024672015