1. |
- Pierre, M., et al.
(author)
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The XXL survey : First results and future
- 2017
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In: Astronomical Notes - Astronomische Nachrichten. - : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 0004-6337 .- 1521-3994. ; 338:2-3, s. 334-341
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The XXL survey currently covers two 25 deg(2) patches with XMM observations of similar to 10 ks. We summarize the scientific results associated with the first release of the XXL dataset, which occurred in mid-2016. We review several arguments for increasing the survey depth to 40 ks during the next decade of XMM operations. X-ray (z < 2) cluster, (z < 4) active galactic nuclei (AGN), and cosmic background survey science will then benefit from an extraordinary data reservoir. This, combined with deep multi-lambda observations, will lead to solid standalone cosmological constraints and provide a wealth of information on the formation and evolution of AGN, clusters, and the X-ray background. In particular, it will offer a unique opportunity to pinpoint the z > 1 cluster density. It will eventually constitute a reference study and an ideal calibration field for the upcoming eROSITA and Euclid missions.
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2. |
- Fotopoulou, S., et al.
(author)
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The XXL Survey VI. The 1000 brightest X-ray point sources
- 2016
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 592:A5
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. X-ray extragalactic surveys are ideal laboratories for the study of the evolution and clustering of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Usually, a combination of deep and wide surveys is necessary to create a complete picture of the population. Deep X-ray surveys provide the faint population at high redshift, while wide surveys provide the rare bright sources. Nevertheless, very wide area surveys often lack the ancillary information available for modern deep surveys. The XXL survey spans two fields of a combined 50 deg(2) observed for more than 6Ms with XMM-Newton, occupying the parameter space that lies between deep surveys and very wide area surveys; at the same time it benefits from a wealth of ancillary data. Aims. This paper marks the first release of the XXL point source catalogue including four optical photometry bands and redshift estimates. Our sample is selected in the 2-10 keV energy band with the goal of providing a sizable sample useful for AGN studies. The limiting flux is F2-10 keV = 4.8 x 10(14) erg s(-1) cm(-2). Methods. We use both public and proprietary data sets to identify the counterparts of the X-ray point-like sources by means of a likelihood ratio test. We improve upon the photometric redshift determination for AGN by applying a Random Forest classification trained to identify for each object the optimal photometric redshift category (passive, star forming, starburst, AGN, quasi-stellar objects (QSO)). Additionally, we assign a probability to each source that indicates whether it might be a star or an outlier. We apply Bayesian analysis to model the X-ray spectra assuming a power-law model with the presence of an absorbing medium. Results. We find that the average unabsorbed photon index is = 1.85 +/- 0.40 while the average hydrogen column density is log i = 21.07 +/- 1.2 cm(-2). We find no trend of Gamma or N-H with redshift and a fraction of 26% absorbed sources (log N-H > 22) consistent with the literature on bright sources (log L-x > 44). The counterpart identification rate reaches 96.7% for sources in the northern field, 97.7% for the southern field, and 97.2% in total. The photometric redshift accuracy is 0.095 for the full XMM-XXL with 28% catastrophic outliers estimated on a sample of 339 sources. Conclusions. We show that the XXL-1000-AGN sample number counts extended the number counts of the COSMOS survey to higher fluxes and are fully consistent with the Euclidean expectation. We constrain the intrinsic luminosity function of AGN in the 2-10 keV energy band where the unabsorbed X-ray flux is estimated from the X-ray spectral fit up to z = 3. Finally, we demonstrate the presence of a supercluster size structure at redshift 0.14, identified by means of percolation analysis of the XXL-1000-AGN sample. The XXL survey, reaching a medium flux limit and covering a wide area, is a stepping stone between current deep fields and planned wide area surveys.
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3. |
- Cicone, C., et al.
(author)
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Massive molecular outflows and evidence for AGN feedback from CO observations
- 2014
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 562, s. 25-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We study the properties of massive, galactic-scale outflows of molecular gas and investigate their impact on galaxy evolution. We present new IRAMPdBI CO(1-0) observations of local ultra-luminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs) and quasar-hosts: a clear signature of massive and energetic molecular outflows, extending on kpc scales, is found in the CO(1-0) kinematics of four out of seven sources, with measured outflow rates of several 100M(circle dot)yr(-1). We combine these new observations with data from the literature, and explore the nature and origin of massive molecular outflows within an extended sample of 19 local galaxies. We find that starburst-dominated galaxies have an outflow rate comparable to their star formation rate (SFR), or even higher by a factor of similar to 2-4, implying that starbursts can indeed be effective in removing cold gas from galaxies. Nevertheless, our results suggest that the presence of an active galactic nucleus (AGN) can boost the outflow rate by a large factor, which is found to increase with the L-AGN/L-bol ratio. The gas depletion time scales due to molecular outflows are anti-correlated with the presence and luminosity of an AGN in these galaxies, and range from a few hundred million years in starburst galaxies down to just a few million years in galaxies hosting powerful AGNs. In quasar hosts, the depletion time scales due to the outflow are much shorter than the depletion time scales due to star formation. We estimate the outflow kinetic power and find that, for galaxies hosting powerful AGNs, it corresponds to about 5% of the AGN luminosity, as expected by models of AGN feedback. Moreover, we find that momentum rates of about 20 L-AGN/c are common among the AGN-dominated sources in our sample. For "pure" starburst galaxies, our data tentatively support models in which outflows are mostly momentum-driven by the radiation pressure from young stars onto dusty clouds. Overall, our results indicate that, although starbursts are effective in powering massive molecular outflows, the presence of an AGN may strongly enhance such outflows, and therefore have a profound feedback effect on the evolution of galaxies by efficiently removing fuel for star formation, hence quenching star formation.
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4. |
- Cicone, C., et al.
(author)
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SUPER VI. A giant molecular halo around a z similar to 2 quasar
- 2021
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 654
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present the discovery of copious molecular gas in the halo of cid_346, a z=2.2 quasar studied as part of the SINFONI survey for Unveiling the Physics and Effect of Radiative feedback (SUPER). New Atacama Compact Array (ACA) CO(3-2) observations detect a much higher flux (by a factor of 14 +/- 5) than measured on kiloparsec scales (r less than or similar to 8 kpc) using previous snapshot Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array data. Such additional CO(3-2) emission traces a structure that extends out to r similar to 200 kpc in projected size, as inferred through direct imaging and confirmed by an analysis of the uv visibilities. This is the most extended molecular circumgalactic medium (CGM) reservoir that has ever been mapped. It shows complex kinematics, with an overall broad line profile (FWHM=1000 km s(-1)) that is skewed towards redshifted velocities up to at least v similar to 1000 km s(-1). Using the optically thin assumption, we estimate a strict lower limit for the total molecular CGM mass observed by ACA of M-mol(CGM) > 10(10) M-circle dot. There is however room for up to M-mol(CGM) similar to 1.7 x 10(12) M-circle dot, once optically thick CO emission with alpha(CO) = 3.6 M-circle dot (K km s(-1) pc(2))(-1) and LCO(3- 2)'/LCO(1-0)' = 0.5 are assumed. Since cid_346 hosts quasar-driven ionised outflows and since there is no evidence of merging companions or an overdensity, we suggest that outflows may have played a crucial rule in seeding metal-enriched, dense gas on halo scales. However, the origin of such an extended molecular CGM remains unclear.
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5. |
- Ginolfi, M., et al.
(author)
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Detection of companion galaxies around hot dust-obscured hyper-luminous galaxy W0410-0913
- 2022
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723 .- 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The phase transition between galaxies and quasars is often identified with the rare population of hyper-luminous, hot dust-obscured galaxies. Galaxy formation models predict these systems to grow via mergers, that can deliver large amounts of gas toward their centers, induce intense bursts of star formation and feed their supermassive black holes. Here we report the detection of 24 galaxies emitting Lyman-α emission on projected physical scales of about 400 kpc around the hyper-luminous hot dust-obscured galaxy W0410-0913, at redshift z = 3.631, using Very Large Telescope observations. While this indicates that W0410-0913 evolves in a very dense environment, we do not find clear signs of mergers that could sustain its growth. Data suggest that if mergers occurred, as models expect, these would involve less massive satellites, with only a moderate impact on the internal interstellar medium of W0410-0913, which is sustained by a rotationally-supported fast-rotating molecular disk, as Atacama Large Millimeter Array observations suggest.
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6. |
- Kakkad, D., et al.
(author)
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SUPER: II. Spatially resolved ionised gas kinematics and scaling relations in z 2 ∼ AGN host galaxies
- 2020
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 642
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. The SINFONI survey for Unveiling the Physics and Effect of Radiative feedback (SUPER) aims to trace and characterise ionised gas outflows and their impact on star formation in a statistical sample of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei (AGN) at z ∼ 2. We present the first SINFONI results for a sample of 21 Type 1 AGN spanning a wide range in bolometric luminosity (log Lbol = 45.4-47.9 erg s-1). The main aims of this paper are to determine the extension of the ionised gas, characterise the occurrence of AGN-driven outflows, and link the properties of such outflows with those of the AGN. Methods. We used adaptive optics-assisted SINFONI observations to trace ionised gas in the extended narrow line region using the [O» III] λ5007 line. We classified a target as hosting an outflow if its non-parametric velocity of the [O» III] line, w80, was larger than 600 km s-1. We studied the presence of extended emission using dedicated point-spread function (PSF) observations, after modelling the PSF from the Balmer lines originating from the broad line region. Results. We detect outflows in all the Type 1 AGN sample based on the w80 value from the integrated spectrum, which is in the range ∼650-2700 km s-1. There is a clear positive correlation between w80 and the AGN bolometric luminosity (> 99% correlation probability), and the black hole mass (98% correlation probability). A comparison of the PSF and the [O» III] radial profile shows that the [O» III] emission is spatially resolved for ∼35% of the Type 1 sample and the outflows show an extension up to ∼6 kpc. The relation between maximum velocity and the bolometric luminosity is consistent with model predictions for shocks from an AGN-driven outflow. The escape fraction of the outflowing gas increases with the AGN luminosity, although for most galaxies, this fraction is less than 10%.
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7. |
- Lamperti, I., et al.
(author)
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SUPER: V. ALMA continuum observations of z ∼2 AGN and the elusive evidence of outflows influencing star formation
- 2021
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 654
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We study the impact of active galactic nuclei (AGN) ionised outflows on star formation in high-redshift AGN host galaxies, by combining near-infrared integral field spectroscopic (IFS) observations, mapping the H emission and [O iii]5007 outflows, with matched-resolution observations of the rest-frame far-infrared (FIR) emission.We present high-resolution ALMA Band 7 observations of eight X-ray selected AGN (L2-10 keV = 1043:81045:2 erg s1) at z 2 from the SUPER (SINFONI Survey for Unveiling the Physics and Eect of Radiative feedback) sample, targeting the observed-frame 870 m (rest-frame 260 m) continuum at 2 kpc (0.200) spatial resolution. The targets were selected among the SUPER AGN with an [O iii] detection in the IFS maps and with a detection in the FIR photometry. We detected six out of eight targets with signal-to-noise ratio S=N & 10 in the ALMA maps, from which we measured continuum flux densities in the range 0:272:58 mJy and FIR half-light radii (Re) in the range 0:8-2:1 kpc. The other two targets were detected with S/N of 3.6 and 5.9, which are insucient for spatially resolved analysis. The FIR Re of our sample are comparable to other AGN and star-forming galaxies at a similar redshift from the literature. However, combining our sample with the literature samples, we find that the mean FIR size in X-ray AGN (Re = 1:16 0:11 kpc) is slightly smaller than in non-AGN (Re = 1:69 0:13 kpc). From spectral energy distribution fitting, we find that the main contribution to the 260 m flux density is dust heated by star formation, with 4% contribution from AGN-heated dust and 1% from synchrotron emission. The majority of our sample show dierent morphologies for the FIR (mostly due to reprocessed stellar emission) and the ionised gas emission (H and [O iii], mostly due to AGN emission). This could be due to the dierent locations of dust and ionised gas, the dierent sources of the emission (stars and AGN), or the eect of dust obscuration.We are unable to identify any residual H emission, above that dominated by AGN, that could be attributed to star formation. Under the assumption that the FIR emission is a reliable tracer of obscured star formation, we find that the obscured star formation activity in these AGN host galaxies is not clearly aected by the ionised outflows. However, we cannot rule out that star formation suppression is happening on smaller spatial scales than the ones we probe with our observations (<2 kpc) or on dierent timescales.
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8. |
- Larsson, Josefin, et al.
(author)
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A close look at the γ-ray emitting narrow-line seyfert 1 FBQS J1644+2619
- 2018
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In: Proceedings of Science. - : Sissa Medialab Srl.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- FBQS J1644+2619 is one of the most recently discovered γ-ray emitting Narrow-Line Seyfert 1s (NLSy1s). Here we present a multiwavelength analysis of this source, focussing on a recent 80 ks X-ray observation with XMM-Newton. The spectral energy distribution of the source is similar to the other γ-ray NLSy1s, confirming its blazar-like nature. The X-ray spectrum is characterised by a hard photon index (Γ = 1.66) above 2 keV and a soft excess at lower energies. The hard photon index provides clear evidence that inverse Compton emission from the jet dominates the spectrum, while the soft excess can be explained by a contribution from the underlying Seyfert emission. This contribution can be fitted by reflection of emission from the base of the jet, as well as by Comptonisation in a warm, optically thick corona. We also compare these results with X-ray observations of other γ-ray NLSy1s. The majority of the sources have similar X-ray spectra, with properties intermediate between blazars and radio-quiet NLSy1s.
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9. |
- Larsson, Josefin, et al.
(author)
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FBQS J1644+2619 : multiwavelength properties and its place in the class of gamma-ray emitting Narrow Line Seyfert 1s
- 2018
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In: Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - : OXFORD UNIV PRESS. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 476:1, s. 43-55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A small fraction of Narrow Line Seyfert 1s (NLSy1s) are observed to be gamma-ray emitters. Understanding the properties of these sources is of interest since the majority of NLSy1s are very different from typical blazars. Here, we present a multifrequency analysis of FBQS J1644+2619, one of the most recently discovered gamma-ray emitting NLSy1s. We analyse an similar to 80 ks XMM-Newton observation obtained in 2017, as well as quasi-simultaneous multi-wavelength observations covering the radio-gamma-ray range. The spectral energy distribution of the source is similar to the other gamma-ray NLSy1s, confirming its blazar-like nature. The X-ray spectrum is characterized by a hard photon index (Gamma = 1.66) above 2 keV and a soft excess at lower energies. The hard photon index provides clear evidence that inverse Compton emission from the jet dominates the spectrum, while the soft excess can be explained by a contribution from the underlying Seyfert emission. This contribution can be fitted by reflection of emission from the base of the jet, as well as by Comptonization in a warm, optically thick corona. We discuss our results in the context of the other gamma-ray NLSy1s and note that the majority of them have similar X-ray spectra, with properties intermediate between blazars and radio-quiet NLSy1s.
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10. |
- Tengstrand, Olof, et al.
(author)
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The X-ray view of giga-hertz peaked spectrum radio galaxies
- 2009
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 501:1, s. 89-102
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context. This paper presents the X-ray properties of a flux- and volume-limited complete sample of 16 giga-hertz peaked spectrum (GPS) galaxies. Aims. This study addresses three basic questions in our understanding of the nature and evolution of GPS sources: a) What is the physical origin of the X-ray emission in GPS galaxies? b) Which physical system is associated with the X-ray obscuration? c) What is the "endpoint" of the evolution of compact radio sources? Methods. We discuss in this paper the results of the X-ray spectral analysis, and compare the X-ray properties of the sample sources with radio observables. Results. We obtain a 100% (94%) detection fraction in the 0.5-2 keV (0.5-10 keV) energy band. GPS galaxy X-ray spectra are typically highly obscured (less than N-H(GPS)greater than = 3 x 10(22) cm(-2); sigma(NH) similar or equal to 0.5 dex). The X-ray column density is larger than the HI column density measured in the radio by a factor 10 to 100. GPS galaxies lie well on the extrapolation to high radio powers of the correlation between radio and X-ray luminosity known in low-luminosity FR I radio galaxies. On the other hand, GPS galaxies exhibit a comparable X-ray luminosity to FR II radio galaxies, notwithstanding their much larger radio luminosity. Conclusions. The X-ray to radio luminosity ratio distribution in our sample is consistent with the bulk of the high-energy emission being produced by the accretion disk, as well as with dynamical models of GPS evolution where X-rays are produced by Compton upscattering of ambient photons. Further support to the former scenario comes from the location of GPS galaxies in the X-ray to O[III] luminosity ratio versus N-H plane. We propose that GPS galaxies are young radio sources, which would reach their full maturity as classical FR II radio galaxies. However, column densities greater than or similar to 10(22) cm(-2) could lead to a significant underestimate of dynamical age determinations based on the hotspot recession velocity measurements.
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11. |
- Vietri, G., et al.
(author)
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SUPER - III. Broad line region properties of AGNs at z ∼ 2
- 2020
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In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - : EDP Sciences. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 644
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims. The SINFONI survey for Unveiling the Physics and Effect of Radiative feedback (SUPER) was designed to conduct a blind search for AGN-driven outflows on X-ray-selected AGNs at redshift z similar to 2 with high (similar to 2 kpc) spatial resolution, and to correlate them with the properties of their host galaxy and central black hole. The main aims of this paper are: (a) to derive reliable estimates for the masses of the black holes and accretion rates for the Type-1 AGNs in this survey; and (b) to characterise the properties of the AGN-driven winds in the broad line region (BLR).Methods. We analysed rest-frame optical and UV spectra of 21 Type-1 AGNs. We used H alpha, H beta, and MgII line profiles to estimate the masses of the black holes. We used the blueshift of the CIV line profile to trace the presence of winds in the BLR.Results. We find that the H alpha and H beta line widths are strongly correlated, as is the line continuum luminosity at 5100 angstrom with H alpha line luminosity, resulting in a well-defined correlation between black hole masses estimated from H alpha and H beta. Using these lines, we estimate that the black hole masses for our objects are in the range Log (M-BH/M-circle dot) = 8.4-10.8 and are accreting at lambda (Edd) = 0.04-1.3. Furthermore, we confirm the well-known finding that the CIV line width does not correlate with the Balmer lines and the peak of the line profile is blueshifted with respect to the [OIII]-based systemic redshift. These findings support the idea that the CIV line is tracing outflowing gas in the BLR for which we estimated velocities up to similar to 4700 km s(-1). We confirm the strong dependence of the BLR wind velocity on the UV-to-X-ray continuum slope, the bolometric luminosity, and Eddington ratio. We infer BLR mass outflow rates in the range 0.005-3 M-circle dot yr(-1), revealing a correlation with the bolometric luminosity consistent with that observed for ionised winds in the narrow line region (NLR), and X-ray winds detected in local AGNs, and kinetic power similar to 10(-7)-10(-4)xL(Bol). The coupling efficiencies predicted by AGN-feedback models are much higher than the values reported for the BLR winds in the SUPER sample; although it should be noted that only a fraction of the energy injected by the AGN into the surrounding medium is expected to become kinetic power in the outflow. Finally, we find an anti-correlation between the equivalent width of the [OIII] line and the CIV velocity shift, and a positive correlation between this latter parameter and [OIII] outflow velocity. These findings, for the first time in an unbiased sample of AGNs at z similar to 2, support a scenario where BLR winds are connected to galaxy-scale detected outflows, and are therefore capable of affecting the gas in the NLR located at kiloparsec scale distances.
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