Distinguishing between AGN and Star-Forming Galaxies in ATLAS

TL;DR

This paper explores various methods to distinguish between active galactic nuclei and star-forming galaxies in the ATLAS radio survey, aiming to identify the most effective discriminants using multi-wavelength data.

Contribution

It systematically compares multiple discriminants for AGN and star-forming galaxies in ATLAS, establishing an approach to optimize classification techniques.

Findings

Proportion of AGN/SF varies with radio flux density.

Preliminary identification of three faint GPS candidates.

Initial spectroscopic analysis results presented.

Abstract

The Australia Telescope Large Area Survey (ATLAS) is the widest deep radio survey ever attempted, covering 7 square degrees of sky in two separate fields, with extensive multi-wavelength data. The primary aim of this research is to investigate all possible discriminants between active galactic nuclei (AGN) and star-formation (SF) in ATLAS, with the goal of comparing discriminants, identifying the strengths and weaknesses, and establishing an optimum technique given the available data. Ultimately, all possible discriminants will be utilized, including optical/infrared SEDs, spectroscopic line widths, optical line ratios, radio spectral indices, variability, morphology, polarization and the radio/FIR correlation. A preliminary investigation using only the available spectroscopic data in ATLAS is ongoing. Results from this investigation are presented, exploring the proportion of AGN/SF galaxies as a function of radio flux density down to 150 microJy. Three faint GPS candidates are also presented, as a preliminary result from ATLAS.