On the Tully-Fisher Relation for Active Galaxies -- I: Evidence of Larger Scatter

Authors:
  • JRJustin H. Robinson
    Justin H. Robinson
  • MRMitchell Revalski
    Mitchell Revalski
  • MBMisty C. Bentz
    Misty C. Bentz
  • DCD. Michael Crenshaw
    D. Michael Crenshaw
  • HCHélène M. Courtois
    Hélène M. Courtois
  • VLVeronica Lahue
    Veronica Lahue
  • JFJulian Falcone
    Julian Falcone
  • RMRachael L. Merritt
    Rachael L. Merritt
  • ICIshita Chintala
    Ishita Chintala
  • TKThomas Kay
    Thomas Kay
  • MMMira Menon
    Mira Menon
  • NANaveen Ali
    Naveen Ali
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Abstract
We present an investigation of the Tully-Fisher (TF) relation solely for galaxies hosting an active galactic nucleus (AGN). Using 22 galaxies with primary, z-independent distances, we find that active galaxies exhibit significantly larger scatter about all TF relations compared to each respective calibration for (largely) inactive galaxies. The larger scatter persists despite removal of the AGN contamination from the photometry of the Type 1 AGNs via 1) careful surface brightness decompositions or 2) employing SEDs to constrain the light contribution of the AGN. These results suggest that the influence of an AGN on its host galaxy's surface brightness may extend beyond the nucleus. We also calculate the percentage difference between TF and primary distances, and find that TF-based distances are biased towards overestimation of the primary distances to active galaxies by anywhere from 5-10 percent for the optical/near-infrared and approximately 15 percent for distances predicted from inverting the Baryonic TF (BTF) relation. As TF-based distances (especially the I-band) are relied on heavily for analysis and modeling of the local peculiar velocity (Vpec) field, we suggest that active galaxies be removed from future Vpec modeling samples.
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