Galaxy wide radio induced feedback in a radio quiet quasar

TL;DR

This study presents the first secure evidence of radio-induced feedback in a radio quiet quasar, showing that modest jets can influence large-scale gas dynamics across tens of kiloparsecs.

Contribution

It demonstrates that radio jets in radio quiet quasars can induce feedback over large galactic scales, challenging the notion that only radiative feedback dominates in such systems.

Findings

Radio induced feedback observed up to 46 kpc from the AGN

Turbulent gas detected 25 kpc perpendicular to radio axis

Radio structures have perforated the galaxy's interstellar medium

Abstract

We report the discovery of a radio quiet type 2 quasar (SDSS J165315.06+234943.0 nicknamed the "Beetle" at z=0.103) with unambiguous evidence for active galactic nucleus (AGN) radio induced feedback acting across a total extension of ~46 kpc and up to ~26 kpc from the AGN. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first radio quiet system where radio induced feedback has been securely identified at >>several kpc from the AGN. Turbulent gas is also found far from the radio axis, ~25 kpc in the perpendicular direction. We propose a scenario in which the radio structures have perforated the interstellar medium of the galaxy and escaped into the circumgalactic medium. While advancing, they have interacted with in-situ gas modifying its properties. Our results show that jets of modest power can be the dominant feedback mechanism acting across huge volumes in radio quiet systems, including highly accreting luminous AGN, where radiative mode feedback may be expected.