Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: We present a detailed analysis of the AGN in galaxy J085337.26+014303.6 at z=0.0582. A combination of SDSS and SAMI Galaxy Survey data shows that this object has gone through at least one full changing-look AGN cycle, from type 1.9 in 2001 to type 1 in 2015 and 2021, and then type 1.9 again in 2022. While the broad lines in this object show evidence of dust obscuration, detailed spectral analysis plus WISE photometry demonstrate that the changes in this object are related to a physical state change, not changing obscuration. In fact, the WISE light curve suggests that this object may have briefly returned to a type 1.9 state in 2020. In the optical, the host galaxy dominates the light (e.g. only ~10 per cent contribution from the AGN at 4000 Angstoms within a central aperture), even in the high state. In contrast, the brightest WISE W2-band measurements place the AGN at a similar luminosity to the entire host galaxy. The broad Balmer lines show evidence of multiple components, with a weak very-broad component (FWHM=5000-6000 km/s) visible in the low type 1.9 state, and a stronger broad component of FWHM~2000 km/s dominating in the high type 1 state. We propose that this is caused by two spatially distinct regions within the broad line region.
Source: arXiv (Cornell University)
Language: English
Subfield: Astronomy and Astrophysics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Energy, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Princeton University, Ohio State University, California Institute of Technology, University of Washington, Johns Hopkins University, University of Pittsburgh, Case Western Reserve University, Drexel University, Universität Basel, Science and Industry Endowment Fund, University of Portsmouth, New Mexico State University, Australian Government, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Government of Western Australia, ARC Centre of Excellence for All-Sky Astrophysics, Max-Planck-Institut für Astronomie, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, University of California, Los Angeles, Australian Astronomical Optics-Macquarie, U.S. Naval Observatory, Fermilab, Los Alamos National Laboratory
OpenAlex ID: W7223342778