The evolutionary state of AGN host galaxies - clues from 3D spectroscopy

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Lutz Wisotzki
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2011 to 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 192157044

We propose to conduct a comprehensive study of relatively nearby galaxies hosting Active Galactic Nuclei, by means of spatially resolved integral field spectroscopy. Our driving scientific aims are: (i) to explain the unusual stellar population properties of AGN host galaxies, in particular by discriminating between 'shutdown' and 'rejuvenation' scenarios; (ii) to classify AGN hosts into kinematically undisturbed vs. affected by mergers, and establish a solid statistical basis for the importance of merger events for low-luminosity AGN; (iii) to collect evidence for AGN-driven outflows, and estimate their energetic relevance for the evolution of these galaxies.For this endeavour we plan to take advantage of the international CALIFA project, a major legacy survey to observe 600 galaxies with integral field spectroscopy, just commencing at Calar Alto observatory. We were already centrally involved in initiating, planning, and implementing CALIFA as a multilateral collaboration, and we now seek for funding to actively participate in its production phase and lead the scientific exploitation for the topic of AGN host galaxies. The key advantage of CALIFA for this topic will be the availability of spatially resolved spectra for a significant sample of AGN together with data of identical quality for many normal, inactive galaxies. We also have secured other unique datasets of AGN hosts that already promise to provide new insights into the science questions listed above.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants