Unveiling multiple AGN activity in galaxy mergers

TL;DR

This paper presents the MAGNA project, which studies multiple AGN systems in galaxy mergers, highlighting the discovery of a high-density AGN group and analyzing interaction-driven activity.

Contribution

It introduces the MAGNA project and reports the discovery of a unique high-density AGN group, providing insights into mechanisms triggering nuclear activity during galaxy mergers.

Findings

Discovery of the high-density AGN compact group SDSS J0959+1259.

Evidence of strong tidal interactions among member galaxies.

Initial analysis of the multiple AGN system SDSS J1038+3921.

Abstract

In this paper we present an overview of the MAGNA (Multiple AGN Activity) project aiming at a comprehensive study of multiple supemassive black hole systems. With the main goal to characterize the sources in merging systems at different stages of evolution, we selected a sample of objects optically classified as multiple systems on the basis of emission line diagnostics and started a massive multiband observational campaign. Here we report on the discovery of the exceptionally high AGN density compact group SDSS~J0959+1259. A multiband study suggests that strong interactions are taking place among its galaxies through tidal forces, therefore this system represents a case study for physical mechanisms that trigger nuclear activity and star formation. We also present a preliminary analysis of the multiple AGN system SDSS~J1038+3921.}