Decomposition of AGN host galaxy images

Abstract

We describe an algorithm to decompose deep images of Active Galactic Nuclei into host galaxy and nuclear components. Currently supported are three galaxy models: A de-Vaucouleurs spheroidal, an exponential disc, and a two-component disc+bulge model. Key features of the method are: (semi-)analytic representation of a possibly spatially variable point-spread function; full two-dimensional convolution of the model galaxy using gradient-controlled adaptive subpixelling; multiple iteration scheme. The code is computationally efficient and versatile for a wide range of applications. The quantitative performance is measured by analysing simulated imaging data. We also present examples of the application of the method to small test samples of nearby Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasars at redshifts z < 0.35.

12 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS

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Cited by in corpus (9)

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• Host galaxy morphologies of X-ray selected AGN: assessing the significance of different black hole fueling mechanisms to the accretion density of the Universe at z~1
• Quasar host galaxy star formation activity from multicolour data
• The Black Hole-Bulge Relationship in Luminous Broad-Line Active Galactic Nuclei and Host Galaxies
• Host galaxies of bright high redshift quasars: Luminosities and colours
• Spatial decomposition of on-nucleus spectra of quasar host galaxies
• X-ray to UV Variability Correlation in MCG-6-30-15
• Mapping the ionised gas around the luminous QSO HE 1029-1401: Evidence for minor merger events?
• Incidence of the host galaxy on the measured optical linear polarization of blazars