| Abstract: | Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are energetic centers of galaxies, driven by supermassive black holes (SMBHs). While each galaxy typically hosts one AGN/SMBH, recent observations indicate the possibility of galaxies containing dual AGN/SMBHs. These dual systems arise from the collision or merger of massive galaxies, resulting in dual AGN that can sometimes evolve into compact configurations known as binary AGN. Binary AGN are gravitationally bound dual AGN systems, which, in later stages, can emit gravitational waves.
This study focuses on the image analysis of dual AGN. Our primary target is the dual AGN system Mrk 739 (Markarian 739), where we aim to gain deeper insights into its properties using data from Swift, NuSTAR, XMM-Newton, and Chandra observatories. The study involved image analysis to estimate the projected angular separation between the two AGN.
We conducted a comparative analysis of the observatories' capabilities and their contributions to the study of dual AGN, with a focus on the dual AGN Mrk 739. Our findings estimate the projected nuclear separation of the dual AGN in Mrk 739 to be about 3.6 kpc. This research also discusses other prominent dual AGN systems and candidates, particularly the well-documented binary AGN, NGC 6240.
By utilizing a multifaceted approach, we not only advance our understanding of dual AGN but also contribute to the broader field of galactic dynamics. This work lays the foundation for future studies aiming to identify and analyze more dual (and multiple) AGN systems, potentially unveiling further insights into galaxy evolution and dynamics. |
