Tracing AGN-Galaxy Co-Evolution with UV Line-Selected Obscured AGN

TL;DR

This study presents a UV line-selected sample of obscured AGN with comprehensive multi-wavelength data, revealing their role in galaxy co-evolution and quenching processes, and compares observations with hydrodynamical simulations.

Contribution

First UV line-selected obscured AGN sample with full X-ray-to-radio coverage enabling detailed analysis and comparison with simulations, highlighting different evolutionary stages.

Findings

[NeV]-selected AGN are in pre-quenching phase.

CIV-selected AGN are likely quenched by AGN activity.

Radio data is crucial for accurate SED fitting when X-ray data is missing.

Abstract

Understanding black hole-galaxy co-evolution and the role of AGN feedback requires complete AGN samples, including heavily obscured systems. In this work, we present the first UV line-selected ([Nev]3426 and CIV1549) sample of obscured AGN with full X-ray-to-radio coverage, assembled by combining data from the Chandra COSMOS Legacy survey, the COSMOS2020 catalogue, IR photometry from XID+, and radio observations from the VLA and MIGHTEE surveys. Using CIGALE to perform spectral energy distribution (SED) fitting, we analyse 184 obscured AGN at 0.6 < z < 1.2 and 1.5 < z < 3.1, enabling detailed measurements of AGN and host galaxy properties, and direct comparison with SIMBA hydrodynamical simulations. We find that X-ray and radio data are essential for accurate SED fits, with the radio band proving critical when X-ray detections are missing or in cases of poor IR coverage. Comparisons with matched non-active galaxies and simulations suggest that the [NeV]-selected sources are in a pre-quenching stage, while the CIV-selected ones are likely quenched by AGN activity. Our results indicate that [NeV] and CIV selections target galaxies in a transient phase of their co-evolution, characterised by intense, obscured accretion, and pave the way for future extensions with upcoming large area high-z spectroscopic surveys.