Unravelling the nature of the dual AGN in the galaxy pair system IRAS 05589+2828 and 2MASX J06021107+2828382

TL;DR

This study confirms a dual AGN system in the galaxy pair IRAS 05589+2828 and 2MASX J06021107+2828382 through multiwavelength observations, revealing their nuclear activity, merger evidence, and radio compactness, with detailed spectral and mass analysis.

Contribution

First multiwavelength confirmation of the dual AGN nature in this galaxy pair, including radio, optical, and X-ray data analysis revealing their properties and merger status.

Findings

IRAS 05589+2828 is a Type 1 AGN with complex emission lines.

2MASX J06021107+2828382 is a Type 2 AGN with high X-ray hardness.

Both AGN are compact radio sources with distinct spectral indices.

Abstract

We have studied the nuclear region of the previously detected dual AGN system in the galaxy pair IRAS 05589+2828 and 2MASX J06021107+2828382 through new optical spectroscopy observations, along with radio and X-ray archival data. Our multiwavelength data strongly suggest that the Sy1 \iras\, (z=0.0330$\pm$0.0002) conforms to a dual AGN system with the Sy2 \twomas\, (z=0.0334$\pm$0.0001) with a projected separation obtained from the radio data of 20.08\arcsec\, ($\sim$13.3\,kpc). Analysis of the optical spectra reveals a faint narrow extended emission from H$\alpha$ and [OIII] amidst the two AGN, supporting evidence for an ongoing merger. \iras\, is a double component narrow emission line AGN, with complex broad Balmer emission line profiles that clearly show a strong red-peaklet with a velocity shift of $\sim$3500\,km\,s$^{-1}$. The black hole mass estimates of \iras\, and \twomas\, are log\,M$\rm_{BH}$\,=\,8.59\,$\pm$\,0.14 (M$_\odot$) and log\,M$\rm_{BH}$\,=\,8.21$\pm$0.2 (M$_\odot$), respectively. In the X-ray bands, \iras\, is compatible with a Type 1 object, showing both spectral and flux variability. \chandra\, data of 2MASX\,J06021107+2828382 allowed us to measure a high hardness ratio in this source, providing evidence for a Type 2 AGN. The 22 GHz image obtained with the {\it Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array} has revealed that both AGN are compact radio objects with spectral indices -0.26$\pm$0.03 and -0.70$\pm$0.11, confirming for the first time its dual AGN nature in the radio bands.