The Nuclear Outflows and Feedback in the Seyfert 2 Galaxy Markarian 573

We present a study of outflow and feedback in the well-known Seyfert 2 galaxy Markarian 573 using high angular resolution long-slit spectrophotometry obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS). Through analysis of the kinematics and ionization state of a biconical outflow region emanating from the nucleus, we find that the outflow does not significantly accelerate the surrounding host-galaxy interstellar gas and is too weak to be a strong ionization mechanism in the extended emission regions. Instead, the excitation of the extended regions is consistent with photoionization by the active nucleus. From energetics arguments we show that the nuclear outflow is slow and heavy and has a mechanical luminosity that is only ~1% of the estimated bolometric luminosity of the system. The energy in the outflow is able to mildly shape the gas in the extended regions but appears to be insufficient to unbind it, or even to plausibly disrupt star formation. These results are at odds with the picture of strong AGN feedback that has been invoked to explain certain aspects of galaxy evolution.

💡 Research Summary

This paper presents a detailed investigation of the nuclear outflow and its feedback impact in the Seyfert 2 galaxy Markarian 573, using high‑resolution long‑slit spectrophotometry obtained with the Hubble Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS). The authors placed a 0.1″ × 52″ slit across the nucleus, covering roughly ±2″ (≈ 800 pc) on either side, and recorded spectra from 2900 Å to 10 200 Å with the G430L and G750L gratings. By fitting multiple Gaussian components to the strongest emission lines—