Large-Scale Features of the CON Galaxy NGC4418 with MUSE
Journal article, 2023

Compact obscured nuclei (CONs) are relatively common in the centers of local (U)LIRGs, yet their nature remains unknown. Both AGN activity and extreme nuclear starbursts have been suggested as plausible nuclear power sources. The prevalence of outflows in these systems suggest that CONs represent a key phase in the nuclear feedback cycle, in which material is ejected from the central regions of the galaxy. Here, we present results from MUSE for the confirmed local CON galaxy NGC4418. For the first time we spatially map the spectral features and kinematics of the galaxy in the optical, revealing several previously unknown structures. In particular, we discover a bilateral outflow along the minor axis, an outflowing bubble, several knot structures and a receding outflow partially obscured by the galactic disk. Based on the properties of these features, we conclude that the CON in NGC4418 is most likely powered by an AGN.

galaxies: evolution

ISM: jets and outflows

galaxies: active

Author

Clare Wethers

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

Susanne Aalto

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

G. Privon

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

National Radio Astronomy Observatory

University of Virginia

F. Stanley

Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique (IRAM)

J. S. Gallagher III

University of Wisconsin Madison

Mark Gorski

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

Sabine König

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Onsala Space Observatory

Kyoko Onishi

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

Chentao Yang

Chalmers, Space, Earth and Environment, Astronomy and Plasmaphysics

Proceedings of the International Astronomical Union

1743-9213 (ISSN) 1743-9221 (eISSN)

Vol. 19 30-33

Subject Categories (SSIF 2025)

Atom and Molecular Physics and Optics

Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology

DOI

10.1017/S1743921323002922

More information

Latest update

4/29/2025