Work

MSA-3D: Uncovering Weak Active Galactic Nuclei and Resolved Outflows in Disguise in z ∼ 1 Star-forming Galaxies

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We present spatially resolved rest-optical spectroscopy of 38 star-forming galaxies at 0.5 < z < 1.5 from the JWST/NIRSpec Micro-Shutter Assembly (MSA)-3D survey, which employs a slit-stepping strategy to build integral field unit–like data cubes with a spatial sampling of ∼0 . ″ 1. We map emission-line morphology, excitation, and kinematics of the warm-ionized gas using [N II ]/H α , [S II ]/H α , and [O III ]/H β . Relative to z ∼ 0 galaxies at fixed stellar mass, our sources show systematically lower [N II ]/H α and [S II ]/H α and elevated [O III ]/H β , consistent with harder radiation fields and lower metallicities. Radially, [O III ]/H β profiles are typically flat or mildly positive, whereas [N II ]/H α also remains flat or declines outward, mirroring metallicity trends. On kiloparsec scales, we find a strong positive correlation between [N II ]/H α and velocity dispersion ( σ ), linking local excitation to turbulent or shock-driven kinematics. Six galaxies (∼16% of the sample) host spatially localized regions with elevated [N II ]/H α , high EW(H α ), and V rms ≡ V 2 + σ 2 > 250 km s − 1 , indicative of weak active galactic nucleus (AGN) activity, shocks, or outflows. For these candidates, we infer modest warm-ionized outflow rates of 1−4 M ⊙ yr −1 and kinetic powers ∼0.1%−1% of the AGN bolometric luminosity (from central [O III ] or H α ). These values place our sample at the low-energy tail of known AGN-driven outflows yet in continuity with M ̇ out – L AGN scaling relations across 0 < z < 6. A completeness assessment shows MSA-3D is sensitive to AGN with L AGN ≳ 10 43 erg s −1 , underscoring both the promise and current limitations of detecting weak AGN activity in distant galaxies with resolved spectroscopy.

Source: The Astrophysical Journal

DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/aea61d