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AGN Triality of Triple Mergers: Detection of Faint X-Ray Point Sources.
- Source :
-
Astrophysical Journal . 2/1/2021, Vol. 907 Issue 2, p1-20. 20p. - Publication Year :
- 2021
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Abstract
- We present results from our X-ray analysis of a systematic search for triple active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in nearby (z < 0.077) triple galaxy mergers. We analyze archival Chandra observations of seven triple galaxy mergers with baymax (Bayesian Analysis of Multiple AGNs in X-rays), fitting each observation with single, dual, and triple X-ray point-source models. In doing so, we conclude that one triple merger has one X-ray point source (SDSS J0858+1822, although it is unlikely to be an AGN), five triple mergers are likely composed of two X-ray point sources (NGC 3341, SDSS J1027+1749, SDSS J1631+2352, SDSS J1708+2153, and SDSS J2356−1016), and one system is composed of three X-ray point sources (SDSS J0849+1114). By fitting the individual X-ray spectra of each point source, we analyze the 2−7 keV luminosities, as well as the levels of obscuration associated with each potential AGN. We find that 4/5 dual X-ray point-source systems have primary and secondary point sources with bright X-ray luminosities (L2−7kev > 1040 erg s−1), possibly associated with four new undetected dual AGNs. The dual and triple-point-source systems are found to have physical separations between 3 and 9 kpc and flux ratios between 2 × 10−3 and 0.84. A multiwavelength analysis to determine the origin of the X-ray point sources discovered in this work is presented in our companion paper (Foord et al. 2020c). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0004637X
- Volume :
- 907
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Astrophysical Journal
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 149101695
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/abce5d