Young and Intermediate Stellar population in Seyfert 2 galaxies

TL;DR

This study analyzes spectra and images of Seyfert 2 galaxies to explore the connection between starbursts and active galactic nuclei, revealing that many host young or intermediate stellar populations linked to dusty starbursts.

Contribution

It provides new evidence of young and intermediate stellar populations in Seyfert 2 nuclei and links their properties to powerful starbursts of short duration.

Findings

Half of the nuclei host young/intermediate stellar populations.

Starbursts are dusty, short-lived, and have luminosities comparable to their Seyfert 1 counterparts.

Star formation is closely connected to the active galactic nucleus activity.

Abstract

We present and discuss near-ultraviolet and optical ground-based spectra of the 20 brightest Seyfert 2 nuclei, and HST ultraviolet images and ultraviolet spectroscopy for a few of them. The goal is to study the starburst-AGN connection and the origin of the featureless continuum. The results indicate that half of the nuclei in the sample harbor a young and/or intermediate age population. These stars are formed in powerful and dusty starbursts of short duration, that have bolometric luminosities similar to the estimated bolometric luminosities of their obscured Seyfert 1 nuclei.