Beware of fake AGNs

TL;DR

This paper highlights that many galaxies previously classified as hosting active galactic nuclei (AGNs) are actually 'retired galaxies' ionized by old stars, challenging traditional AGN identification methods.

Contribution

The study demonstrates that a significant fraction of galaxies identified as LINERs are actually retired galaxies, emphasizing the need to reconsider AGN classification criteria.

Findings

Approximately 25% of LINER galaxies are retired galaxies.

Including galaxies lacking certain emission lines increases the retired galaxy fraction.

Retired galaxies are ionized by hot post-AGB stars and white dwarfs.

Abstract

In the BPT diagram, the distribution of the emission-line galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) evokes the wings of a seagull. Traditionally, galaxies in the right wing are considered to host AGNs. Our study of the stellar populations of SDSS galaxies showed that about1/4 of galaxies thought to host LINERS are in fact "retired galaxies", i.e. galaxies that stopped forming stars and are ionized by hot post-AGB stars and white dwarfs (Stasinska et al. 2008). When including the galaxies that lack some of the lines needed to place them in the BPT diagram the fraction of retired galaxies is even larger (Cid Fernandes et al., 2009, arXiv:0912.1376)