Disentangling star formation and AGN activity in the GAMA (G23) region
Loading...
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
Observations of galaxies at di↵erent wavelengths have shaped our understanding of their
formation and evolution through time. The commonly derived parameters, such as stellar
mass and star formation rate (SFR), rely on the assumption that the radiation received
is exclusively generated by the stars within the galaxy. This assumption is true for pure
star-forming (SF) galaxies, but not in the presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN).
AGNs are structures that also radiate in the full electromagnetic spectrum, inducing additional
flux to that emitted by stars. Their small sizes in comparison to the host galaxy
(⌧1 %) generally make them invisible in galaxy images. AGNs come in many variations
making the most powerful (e.g., quasi-stellar objects) easily identifiable, whereas others
with much weaker signatures can be hidden in the total emission from the host. Therefore
it is imperative to find accurate methods to separate and study the properties of AGNs
versus pure SF galaxies.
Description
Philosophiae Doctor - PhD
Keywords
Galaxies, Star formation, AGN activity, Radiation, Active galactic nucleus