1. IRX-CIGALE: a tailored module for Low-Luminosity AGN
- Author
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López, I. E., Yang, G., Mountrichas, G., Brusa, M., Alexander, D. M., Baldi, R. D., Bertola, E., Bonoli, S., Comastri, A., Shankar, F., Acharya, N., Tetilla, A. V. Alonso, Lapi, A., Laloux, B., López, X. López, Rodríguez, I. Muñoz, Musiimenta, B., Clavijo, N. Osorio, Sala, L., and Sengupta, D.
- Subjects
Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies ,Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena - Abstract
The spectral energy distribution (SED) of low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGN) presents unique challenges due to their comparable radiation output to their host galaxies and complex accretion dynamics. We introduce a novel module within the CIGALE framework specifically designed for SED fitting of LLAGN, incorporating both empirical relationships like $L_\mathrm{X}$--$L_\mathrm{12\mu m}$ and physically-based accretion models such as advection-dominated accretion flows (ADAFs) and truncated accretion disks. This allows for more accurate depiction of LLAGN central emissions. Using this module, we analyzed a set of 52 X-ray-detected local galaxies, primarily LINERs and Seyferts, and compared its performance to higher-luminosity AGN from the COSMOS and SDSS datasets. Our results show that the module adeptly estimates bolometric luminosities with high precision, despite significant galaxy contamination. It also introduces a versatile X-ray bolometric correction formula covering a vast range of luminosities. Further, our study explored the $\alpha_\mathrm{ox}$ index, which measures the UV to X-ray emission slope, showing that unlike quasars, LLAGN display either stable or only slightly varying $\alpha_\mathrm{ox}$ values, indicating differing accretion and photon production processes in the low luminosity regime. Additionally, we observed a significant drop of 1.4 dex in specific star formation rates when moving from whole galaxies to a central 9-arcsecond aperture in LLAGN, suggesting potential feedback mechanisms at play. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of a multiwavelength approach in AGN studies, highlighting distinct behaviors of LLAGN compared to quasars, thus enhancing our understanding of LLAGN and providing a framework for future comprehensive AGN population studies., Comment: Submitted to A&A
- Published
- 2024