Effects of large-scale AGN feedback in local galaxies

Abstract

The effects of active galactic nucleus (AGN) feedback on group and cluster galaxies are investigated. We examine the colors of non-AGN hosts (i.e. satellite galaxies) by comparing galaxies overrun by radio AGN with similar galaxies located outside the radio AGN contours. We find that powerful Fanaroff-Riley type II (edge-brightened) radio AGN truncate star formation in the galaxies overrun by AGN-driven bow shocks. On the other hand, the ubiquitous Fanaroff-Riley type I (core-dominated) AGN do not affect neighboring galaxies. This result shows that, despite their rarity, feedback from powerful radio AGN is an important factor in the evolution of group/cluster galaxies.