AGN feedback and star formation in the peculiar galaxy NGC 232 : insights from VLT-MUSE observations

Abstract

We use VLT-MUSE integral field unit data to study the ionized gas physical properties and kinematics as well as the stellar populations of the Seyfert 2 galaxy NGC 232 as an opportunity to understand the role of AGN feedback on star formation. The data cover a field of view of 60 × 60 arcsec2 at a spatial resolution of ∼850 pc. The emission-line profiles have been fitted with two Gaussian components, one associated to the emission of the gas in the disc and the other due to a bi-conical outflow. The spectral synthesis suggests a predominantly old stellar population with ages exceeding 2 Gyr, with the largest contributions seen at the nucleus and decreasing outwards. Meanwhile, the young and intermediate age stellar populations exhibit a positive gradient with increasing radius and a circum-nuclear star-forming ring with radius of ∼0.5 kpc traced by stars younger than 20 Myr, is observed. This, along with the fact that AGN and SF dominated regions present similar gaseous oxygen abundances, suggests a shared reservoir feeding both star formation and the AGN. We have estimated a maximum outflow rate in ionized gas of ∼1.26 M yr−1 observed at a distance of ∼560 pc from the nucleus. The corresponding maximum kinetic power of the outflow is ∼3.4 × 1041 erg s−1. This released energy could be sufficient to suppress star formation within the ionization cone, as evidenced by the lower star formation rates observed in this region.