Characterization and environment of low luminosity active nuclei

Abstract

Active galatic nuclei (AGN) are compact objects located at the center of normal galaxies. The unification model predicts that its energetics is associated to capture of matter by a supermassive black hole. We intend to determine the weakest part of the luminosity function of these objects. Low luminosity AGNs are harder to be detected because the signal from the galaxy's stellar emission or, even, from H II regions dominate the spectra. We developed a method based on Principal Components Analysis (PCA). With datacubes observed with the Gemini GMOS-IFU, this analysis characterizes weaker components superposed on stronger or even obscured emission. Tests with NGC 6221 and NGC 7582, made in our Master Thesis, were successful. We have already 10 galaxies available for this project. Statistical analysis, even considering that we have an incomplete sample, will be done in this project. Besides detecting and characterizing these objects, a subproduct of the study is a more precise knowledge of their stellar population. Detection of objects like supernovae remnants can also be revealed, like seen in NGC 6221 and NGC 7582, and will be done with these new observations. Fotoionization modeling with CLOUDY will also be made. With high quality data and a powerful analysis, we can get information with unprecedented accuracy for this kind of AGN. (AU)