A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Active galactic nuclei in diverse galactic environments
Authors: Patel, Divya; Robertson, Clayton; Holwerda, Benne; Pimbblet, Kevin; Kirkpatrick, Allison; De Propris, Roberto; Liske, Jochen
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Publication year: 2026
Journal: Publications of the Astronomical Society of Australia
Article number: e020
Volume: 43
ISSN: 1323-3580
eISSN: 1448-6083
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/pasa.2026.10153
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1017/pasa.2026.10153
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/515886020
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
We examine how the presence of active galactic nuclei (AGN) correlates with location in large-scale cosmic structures using the Galaxy and Mass Assembly (GAMA) survey across the G09, G12, and G15 fields. Our sample contains 18 927, 9 273, and 1 148 galaxies for highly dense filaments, moderately dense tendrils, and highly underdense voids, respectively. AGN are identified among emission-line galaxies using Baldwin-Phillips-Terlevich (BPT) diagnostic diagrams based on [NII], [SII], and [OI]. We compare AGN fractions across filament, tendril, and void regions and as a function of distance from the nearest filament centreline. Our results reveal a mild excess in filaments compared to voids when using [SII]- and [NII]-based classifications, while no significant environmental dependence is found for [OI]-based classifications. Overall, we find a weak environmental trend with AGN activity, which suggests that the local environment does not always dominate AGN activity; instead, secular processes are likely to be at play. Our findings are consistent with previous studies reporting only marginal preferences for overdense environments for AGN.
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Funding information in the publication:
We acknowledge the support of the Summer Research Opportunity Program (SROP), the Jones Scholars Program, and the Undergraduate Research Grant (URG) by the University of Louisville's Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Innovation (EVPRI).