The VVVX quest for satellites around the Circinus galaxy
L. D. Baravalle, A. L. O'Mill, M. V. Alonso, C. Obasi, D. Minniti, M. G\'omez, C. Villalon, J. Nilo-Castell\'on, C. Valotto, M. Soto, I. V. Daza Perilla, M. A. Sgr\'o, J. G. Fern\'andez-Trincado

TL;DR
This study used near-infrared data and machine learning to search for dwarf satellite galaxies around the Circinus galaxy, but found no confirmed satellites, suggesting possible effects of AGN feedback.
Contribution
It demonstrates the effectiveness of combining near-infrared observations and neural network-based photometric redshift estimation in challenging low-latitude environments.
Findings
No dwarf satellites confirmed around Circinus galaxy.
Neural network achieved high accuracy in photometric redshift estimation.
Method shows promise for future satellite searches in obscured regions.
Abstract
The Circinus galaxy is the nearest type-2 Seyfert galaxy, which is at a distance of 4.2 Mpc. Its environment is challenging to explore because it is located at low Galactic latitudes, behind the Galactic disc. The long-term goal is to characterise the Circinus galaxy halo and determine the presence of dwarf satellites using near-infrared data. We selected 1,542 galaxies from the VVV NIRGC within a 2-degree radius around Circinus, representing 2/3 of the virial radius. Structural parameters such as half-light radii and colours were used, and correlations were examined. A neural network was trained with 486 galaxies with known spectroscopic redshifts to estimate photometric redshifts for all galaxies. Potential satellites were defined based on half-light radii compatible with the typical sizes of dwarf satellites, and combined with photometric redshifts. The galaxy properties are reliably…
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Taxonomy
TopicsGalaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena · Astronomy and Astrophysical Research · Astrophysics and Star Formation Studies
