GOALS-JWST: Pulling Back the Curtain on the AGN and Star Formation in VV 114

TL;DR

This study uses JWST integral-field spectroscopy to investigate VV 114, revealing an active AGN in the SW core and signs of embedded star formation and outflows in the galaxy's complex environment.

Contribution

First spectroscopic evidence of an AGN in VV 114's SW core and detailed analysis of star formation and gas dynamics using JWST data.

Findings

SW core hosts an AGN with low PAH equivalent widths

Embedded star formation signs in NE core with hydrocarbon and silicate features

Detection of shocks, outflows, and complex gas kinematics

Abstract

We present results from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Director's Discretionary Time Early Release Science (ERS) program 1328 targeting the nearby, Luminous Infrared Galaxy (LIRG), VV 114. We use the MIRI and NIRSpec instruments to obtain integral-field spectroscopy of the heavily obscured Eastern nucleus (V114E) and surrounding regions. The spatially resolved, high-resolution, spectra reveal the physical conditions in the gas and dust over a projected area of 2-3 kpc that includes the two brightest IR sources, the NE and SW cores. Our observations show for the first time spectroscopic evidence that the SW core hosts an AGN as evidenced by its very low 6.2 {\mu}m and 3.3 {\mu}m PAH equivalent widths (0.12 and 0.017 {\mu}m respectively) and mid and near-IR colors. Our observations of the NE core show signs of deeply embedded star formation including absorption features due to aliphatic hydrocarbons, large quantities of amorphous silicates, as well as HCN due to cool gas along the line of sight. We detect elevated [Fe II]/Pf{\alpha} consistent with extended shocks coincident with enhanced emission from warm H$_{2}$, far from the IR-bright cores and clumps. We also identify broadening and multiple kinematic components in both H$_{2}$ and fine structure lines caused by outflows and previously identified tidal features.