Spatially Extended Low Ionization Emission Regions (LIERs) at \(z\sim0.9\)

We present spatially resolved emission diagnostics for eight \(z\sim0.9\) galaxies that demonstrate extended low ionization emission-line regions (LIERs) over kpc scales. Eight candidates are selected based on their spatial extent and emission line fluxes from slitless spectroscopic observations wit...

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Published inarXiv.org
Main Authors Hviding, R E, Brammer, G B, Momcheva, I G, Lundgren, B F, Marchesini, D, Pirzkal, N, Ryan, R E, Vang, A, Wake, D A, Bourque, M, Martlin, C, Nedkova, K V
Format Paper
LanguageEnglish
Published Ithaca Cornell University Library, arXiv.org 05.10.2018
Subjects
Active galactic nuclei
Diagnostic systems
Emission spectra
Fluxes
Galaxies
Ionization
Line spectra
Linings
Local group (astronomy)
Space telescopes
Spectroscopy
Star formation
Universe
X ray spectra
X ray telescopes
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Summary:We present spatially resolved emission diagnostics for eight \(z\sim0.9\) galaxies that demonstrate extended low ionization emission-line regions (LIERs) over kpc scales. Eight candidates are selected based on their spatial extent and emission line fluxes from slitless spectroscopic observations with the HST/WFC3 G141 and G800L grisms in the well-studied GOODS survey fields. Five of the candidates (62.5%) are matched to X-ray counterparts in the \textit{Chandra X-Ray Observatory} Deep Fields. We modify the traditional Baldwin-Philips-Terlevich (BPT) emission line diagnostic diagram to use [SII]/(H\(\alpha\)+[NII]) instead of [NII]/H\(\alpha\) to overcome the blending of [NII] and H\(\alpha\)+[NII] in the low resolution slitless grism spectra. We construct emission line ratio maps and place the individual pixels in the modified BPT. The extended LINER-like emission present in all of our candidates, coupled with X-Ray properties consistent with star-forming galaxies and weak [OIII]\(\lambda\)5007\AA\ detections, is inconsistent with purely nuclear sources (LINERs) driven by active galactic nuclei. While recent ground-based integral field unit spectroscopic surveys have revealed significant evidence for diffuse LINER-like emission in galaxies within the local universe \((z\sim0.04)\), this work provides the first evidence for the non-AGN origin of LINER-like emission out to high redshifts.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.1810.02819