Radio Jets Clearing theWay Through a Galaxy: Watching Feedback in Action in the Seyfert galaxy IC 5063

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution ALMA observations to reveal complex molecular gas kinematics in IC 5063, showing a jet-driven outflow that interacts with the interstellar medium, illustrating feedback mechanisms in action.

Contribution

First detailed ALMA imaging of molecular gas kinematics in IC 5063 demonstrating jet-driven feedback in a relatively weak radio Seyfert galaxy.

Findings

Molecular outflow extends along the radio jet (~1 kpc).

Outflow velocities peak about 0.5 kpc from the nucleus.

Gas cooling after shock passage likely causes the cold molecular outflow.

Abstract

High-resolution (0.5 arcsec) CO(2-1) observations performed with the Atacama Large Millimetre/submillimetre Array have been used to trace the kinematics of the molecular gas in the Seyfert 2 galaxy{IC~5063}. Although one of the most radio-loud Seyfert galaxy, IC~5063 is a relatively weak radio source (P_1.4GHz = 3 x 10^23 W Hz^-1). The data reveal that the kinematics of the gas is very complex. A fast outflow of molecular gas extends along the entire radio jet (~ 1 kpc), with the highest outflow velocities about 0.5 kpc from the nucleus, at the location of the brighter hot-spot in the W lobe. All the observed characteristics can be described by a scenario of a radio plasma jet expanding into a clumpy medium, interacting directly with the clouds and inflating a cocoon that drives a lateral outflow into the interstellar medium. This suggests that most of the observed cold molecular outflow is due to fast cooling of the gas after the passage of a shock and that it is the end product of the cooling process.