Enrico Congiu

University of Padova | UNIPD · Department of Physics and Astronomy "Galileo Galilei"

The Orion Molecular Cloud complex, one of the nearest (D~400 pc) and most extensively studied massive star-forming regions, is ideal for constraining the physics of stellar feedback, but its ~12 deg diameter on the sky requires a dedicated approach to mapping ionized gas structures within and around the nebula. The Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS-V)...

Theoretical models predict that z ≳ 6 quasars are hosted in the most massive halos of the underlying dark matter distribution and thus would be immersed in protoclusters of galaxies. However, observations report inconclusive results. We investigate the 1.1 proper-Mpc ² environment of the z = 7.54 luminous quasar ULAS J1342+0928. We search for Lyman...

We present the largest extragalactic survey of supernova remnant (SNR) candidates in nearby star-forming galaxies using exquisite spectroscopic maps from MUSE. Supernova remnants exhibit distinctive emission-line ratios and kinematic signatures, which are apparent in optical spectroscopy. Using optical integral field spectra from the PHANGS-MUSE pr...

We studied seven nearby narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies in J and Ks bands with redshifts varying from 0.019 to 0.092. This is the first multi-source study targeting the hosts of southern NLS1 galaxies. Our data were obtained with the FourStar instrument of the 6.5 m Magellan Baade telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory (Chile). The aim of...

We studied seven nearby narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies in $J$- and $Ks$-bands with redshifts varying from 0.019 to 0.092. This is the first multi-source study targeting the hosts of southern NLS1 galaxies. Our data was obtained with the FourStar instrument of the 6.5~m Magellan Baade telescope at the Las Campanas Observatory (Chile). The aim...

Context. Stellar feedback is a key contributor to the morphology and dynamics of the interstellar medium in star-forming galaxies. In particular, energy and momentum input from massive stars can drive the turbulent motions in the gas, but the dominance and efficiency of this process are unclear. The study of ionised superbubbles enables quantitativ...

We investigate the ionised gas morphology, excitation properties, and kinematics in 19 nearby star-forming galaxies from the PHANGS-MUSE survey. We directly compare the kinetic energy of expanding superbubbles and the turbulent motions in the interstellar medium with the mechanical energy deposited by massive stars in the form of winds and supernov...

Measurements of the star formation activity on cloud scales are fundamental to uncovering the physics of the molecular cloud, star formation, and stellar feedback cycle in galaxies. Infrared (IR) emission from small dust grains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely used to trace the obscured component of star formation. However, th...

IGR J17407−2808 is an enigmatic and poorly studied X-ray binary that was recently observed quasi-simultaneously with NuSTAR and XMM-Newton . In this paper we report the results of this observational campaign. During the first 60 ks of observation, the source was caught in a relatively low emission state characterised by a modest variability and an...

IGR J17407-2808 is an enigmatic and poorly studied X-ray binary that was recently observed quasi-simultaneously with NuSTAR and XMM-Newton. In this paper we report the results of this observational campaign. During the first 60 ks of observation, the source was caught in a relatively low emission state, characterised by a modest variability and an...

PKS 2004−447 is a narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) harbouring a relativistic jet with γ -ray emission. On 2019 October 25, the Fermi -Large Area Telescope captured a γ -ray flare from this source, offering a chance to study the broad-line region (BLR) and jet during such violent events. This can provide insights into the BLR structure and jet interacti...

PKS 2004-447 is a narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) harbouring a relativistic jet with gamma-ray emission. On 2019-10-25, the Fermi-Large Area Telescope captured a $\gamma$-ray flare from this source, offering a chance to study the broad-line region (BLR) and jet during such violent events. This can provide insights to the BLR structure and jet interact...

PHANGS–JWST mid-infrared (MIR) imaging of nearby spiral galaxies has revealed ubiquitous filaments of dust emission in intricate detail. We present a pilot study to systematically map the dust filament network (DFN) at multiple scales between 25 and 400 pc in NGC 628. MIRI images at 7.7, 10, 11.3, and 21 μ m of NGC 628 are used to generate maps of...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) play a critical role in the reprocessing of stellar radiation and balancing the heating and cooling processes in the interstellar medium but appear to be destroyed in H ii regions. However, the mechanisms driving their destruction are still not completely understood. Using PHANGS–JWST and PHANGS–MUSE observat...

The PHANGS collaboration has been building a reference data set for the multiscale, multiphase study of star formation and the interstellar medium (ISM) in nearby galaxies. With the successful launch and commissioning of JWST, we can now obtain high-resolution infrared imaging to probe the youngest stellar populations and dust emission on the scale...

The earliest stages of star formation, when young stars are still deeply embedded in their natal clouds, represent a critical phase in the matter cycle between gas clouds and young stellar regions. Until now, the high-resolution infrared observations required for characterizing this heavily obscured phase (during which massive stars have formed, bu...

The first JWST observations of nearby galaxies have unveiled a rich population of bubbles that trace the stellar-feedback mechanisms responsible for their creation. Studying these bubbles therefore allows us to chart the interaction between stellar feedback and the interstellar medium, and the larger galactic flows needed to regulate star formation...

We compare mid-infrared (mid-IR), extinction-corrected H α , and CO (2–1) emission at 70–160 pc resolution in the first four PHANGS–JWST targets. We report correlation strengths, intensity ratios, and power-law fits relating emission in JWST’s F770W, F1000W, F1130W, and F2100W bands to CO and H α . At these scales, CO and H α each correlate strongl...

In this work, we present a new catalogue of >40 000 ionised nebulae distributed across the 19 galaxies observed by the PHANGS-MUSE survey. The nebulae have been classified using a new model-comparison-based algorithm that exploits the odds ratio principle to assign a probabilistic classification to each nebula in the sample. The resulting catalogue...

In this work, we present a new catalogue of >40000 ionised nebulae distributed across the 19 galaxies observed by the PHANGS-MUSE survey. The nebulae have been classified using a new model-comparison-based algorithm that exploits the odds ratio principle to assign a probabilistic classification to each nebula in the sample. The resulting catalogue...

Ionized nebulae provide critical insights into the conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM). Their bright emission lines enable the measurement of physical properties, such as the gas-phase metallicity, across galaxy disks and in distant galaxies. The PHANGS–MUSE survey has produced optical spectroscopic coverage of the central star-forming disc...

Ionized nebulae provide critical insights into the conditions of the interstellar medium (ISM). Their bright emission lines enable the measurement of physical properties, such as the gas-phase metallicity, across galaxy disks and in distant galaxies. The PHANGS--MUSE survey has produced optical spectroscopic coverage of the central star-forming dis...

PHANGS-JWST mid-infrared (MIR) imaging of nearby spiral galaxies has revealed ubiquitous filaments of dust emission in intricate detail. We present a pilot study to systematically map the dust filament network (DFN) at multiple scales between 25-400 pc in NGC 628. MIRI images at 7.7, 10, 11.3 and 21$\mu$m of NGC 628 are used to generate maps of the...

We compare mid-infrared (mid-IR), extinction-corrected H$\alpha$, and CO (2-1) emission at 70--160 pc resolution in the first four PHANGS-JWST targets. We report correlation strengths, intensity ratios, and power law fits relating emission in JWST's F770W, F1000W, F1130W, and F2100W bands to CO and H$\alpha$. At these scales, CO and H$\alpha$ each...

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) play a critical role in the reprocessing of stellar radiation and in balancing the heating and cooling processes in the interstellar medium (ISM), but appear to be destroyed in HII regions. However, the mechanisms driving their destruction are still not completely understood. Using PHANGS-JWST and PHANGS-MUSE...

The PHANGS collaboration has been building a reference dataset for the multi-scale, multi-phase study of star formation and the interstellar medium in nearby galaxies. With the successful launch and commissioning of JWST, we can now obtain high-resolution infrared imaging to probe the youngest stellar populations and dust emission on the scales of...

The first JWST observations of nearby galaxies have unveiled a rich population of bubbles that trace the stellar feedback mechanisms responsible for their creation. Studying these bubbles therefore allows us to chart the interaction between stellar feedback and the interstellar medium, and the larger galactic flows needed to regulate star formation...

Mapping star-formation rates (SFR) within galaxies is key to unveiling their assembly and evolution. Calibrations exist for computing the SFR from a combination of ultraviolet and infrared bands for galaxies as integrated systems, but their applicability to sub-galactic (kiloparsec) scales remains largely untested. We used integral field spectrosco...

The earliest stages of star formation, when young stars are still deeply embedded in their natal clouds, represent a critical phase in the matter cycle between gas clouds and young stellar regions. Until now, the high-resolution infrared observations required for characterizing this heavily obscured phase (during which massive stars have formed, bu...

Mapping star-formation rates (SFR) within galaxies is key to unveiling their assembly and evolution. Calibrations exist for computing SFR from a combination of ultraviolet and infrared bands for galaxies as integrated systems, but their applicability to sub-galactic (kpc) scales remains largely untested. Here we use integral field spectroscopy of 1...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are unevolved active galactic nuclei (AGNs) that exist predominantly in spiral galaxies. However, mostly due to the small number of sources studied, it has been under debate whether also the hosts of jetted NLS1 galaxies, a particular subclass of these sources hosting a relativistic jet, are disk-like or ellipt...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are unevolved active galactic nuclei (AGN) that exist predominantly in spiral galaxies. However, mostly due to the small number of sources studied, it has been under debate whether also the hosts of jetted NLS1 galaxies, a particular subclass of these sources hosting a relativistic jet, are disk-like, or ellipt...

The processes of star formation and feedback, regulating the cycle of matter between gas and stars on the scales of giant molecular clouds (GMCs; ∼100 pc), play a major role in governing galaxy evolution. Measuring the time-scales of GMC evolution is important to identify and characterise the specific physical mechanisms that drive this transition....

The processes of star formation and feedback, which regulate the cycle of matter between gas and stars on the scales of giant molecular clouds (GMCs; $\sim$100pc), play a major role in governing galaxy evolution. Measuring the time-scales of GMC evolution is important to identify and characterise the specific physical mechanisms that drive this tra...

One of the fundamental factors regulating the evolution of galaxies is stellar feedback. However, we still do not have strong observational constraints on the relative importance of the different feedback mechanisms (e.g. radiation, ionised gas pressure, stellar winds) in driving HII region evolution and molecular cloud disruption. In this letter,...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are a peculiar sub-class of active galactic nuclei (AGNe). They have demonstrated that the presence of relativistic jets in an AGN is not strictly related to its radio-loudness, the black hole mass, or their host galaxy type. Here, we present a remarkable example of a radio-quiet NLS1, 6dFGS gJ035432.8−134008 (...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are a peculiar subclass of active galactic nuclei (AGN). They have demonstrated that the presence of relativistic jets in an AGN is not strictly related to its radio-loudness, the black hole mass, or the host galaxy type. Here we present a remarkable example of a radio-quiet NLS1, 6dFGS gJ035432.8-134008 (J0354...

The earliest stages of star formation, when young stars are still deeply embedded in their natal clouds, represent a critical phase in the matter cycle between gas clouds and young stellar regions. Until now, the high-resolution infrared observations required for characterizing this heavily obscured phase (during which massive stars have formed, bu...

The first JWST observations of nearby galaxies have unveiled a rich population of bubbles that trace the stellar feedback mechanisms responsible for their creation. Studying these bubbles therefore allows us to chart the interaction between stellar feedback and the interstellar medium, and the larger galactic flows needed to regulate star formation...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are believed to be active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the early stages of their evolution. Several dozen of them have been found to host relativistic jets, whilst the majority of NLS1s have not even been detected in radio, emphasising the heterogeneity of the class in this band. In this paper, our aim is to deter...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) galaxies are believed to be active galactic nuclei (AGN) in the early stages of their evolution. Some dozens of them have been found to host relativistic jets, whilst the majority has not even been detected in radio, emphasising the heterogeneity of the class in this band. In this paper, our aim is to determine the pred...

The existence of a relation between relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) and the morphology of their host galaxies has often been suggested. In particular, relativistic jets may be commonly connected with merging events. We present here for the first time a detailed spectroscopic and morphological analysis of a Seyfert galaxy, SDSS J21...

The distribution of metals within a galaxy traces the baryon cycle and the buildup of galactic disks, but the detailed gas phase metallicity distribution remains poorly sampled. We have determined the gas phase oxygen abundances for 7138 H ii regions across the disks of eight nearby galaxies using Very Large Telescope/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explo...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are a class of active galactic nuclei that are known to be one of the few sources of γ-rays, which originate in a relativistic beamed jet. Because of their relatively large distance, a poorly investigated aspect of these jetted NLS1s is their environment, and in particular, their host galaxy. In this work, we...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are a subclass of active galactic nuclei (AGN). It is often believed that these AGN have small black hole mass, which is responsible for the narrowness of the permitted lines. They are also characterised by a high accretion rate, typically closer to the Eddington limit. Nevertheless, narrow permitted lines mig...

We present a new accurate sample of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) in the southern hemisphere from the Six-degree Field Galaxy Survey (6dFGS). Based on the optical spectral features, 167 sources were classified as NLS1s. We derived flux-calibrated spectra in the sample for the first time. Strong luminosity correlations between the continuum...

We present a new accurate sample of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) in the southern hemisphere from the Six-degree Field Galaxy Survey (6dFGS). Based on the optical spectral features, 167 sources were classified as NLS1s. We derived flux-calibrated spectra in the sample for the first time. Strong luminosity correlations between the continuum...

Thanks to the execution of extensive spectroscopic surveys that have covered large fractions of the sky down to magnitudes as faint as $i \approx 19$, it has been possible to identify several narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) and to investigate their properties over a large range of the electro-magnetic spectrum. The interpretation of their na...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are a class of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Their physical properties can be either interpreted in terms of evolution, suggesting that they are a young phase of AGN life, or inclination, under the hypothesis of a disk-like broad-line region observed pole-on. To distinguish between these two hypotheses, host g...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are a subclass of active galactic nuclei (AGN) with narrow permitted lines. It is often believed that these AGNs have small black hole mass and high accretion rate, typically closer to the Eddington limit than other Seyfert galaxies. This produces the narrowness of lines. Nevertheless, this property can be ori...

We report simultaneous observations at different energy bands in radio, optical, UV, X-rays and γ rays of the flat-spectrum radio-quasar 3C 345. We built the light curve of the source at different frequencies from 2008, the beginning of the Fermi all-sky survey, to 2016, using new data and public archives. In particular we obtained several optical...

We present a new accurate catalog of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) in the southern hemisphere from the Six-degree Field Galaxy Survey (6dFGS) final data release, which is currently the most extensive spectroscopic survey available in the southern sky whose database has not yet been systematically explored. We classified 167 sources as NLS1...

We report the first results of a survey on 74 narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) carried out in 2015 with the Karl J. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) at 5 GHz in A-configuration. So far, this is the largest survey aimed to image the radio continuum of NLS1s. We produced radio maps in order to compare the general properties of three different sam...

In the framework of the Asiago Transient Classification Program (see, e.g., Tomasella et al. 2014, AN, 335, 841), we report the spectroscopic classification of ASASSN-17qy in the galaxy 2MASX J06001492-1806013, and confirm the spectroscopic classification of SN 2017ixv in NGC 6796 proposed by R. Leadbeater (via TNS).

The spectra of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are often characterized by a wealth of emission lines with different profiles and intensity ratios that led to a complicated classification. Their electro-magnetic radiation spans more than 10 orders of magnitude in frequency. In spite of the differences between various classes, the origin of their activ...

We present our recent results about the extended narrow-line region (ENLR) of two nearby Seyfert 2 galaxies (IC 5063 and NGC 7212) obtained by modeling the observed line profiles and spectra with composite models (photoionization+shocks) in the different regions surrounding the AGN. Then, we compare the Seyfert 2 ENLRs with the very extended one re...

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) are characterized by emission of radiation over more than 10 orders of magnitude in frequency. Therefore, the execution of extensive surveys of the sky, with different types of detectors, is providing the attractive possibility to identify and to investigate the properties of AGNs on very large statistical samples. Tha...

We report simultaneous observations at different energy bands in radio, optical, UV, X-rays and $\gamma$ rays of the flat-spectrum radio-quasar 3C 345. We built the light curve of the source at different frequencies from 2008, the beginning of the Fermi all-sky survey, to 2016, using new data and public archives. In particular we obtained several o...

We studied the properties of the gas of the extended narrow line region (ENLR) of two Seyfert 2 galaxies: IC 5063 and NGC 7212. We analysed high resolution spectra to investigate how the main properties of this region depend on the gas velocity. We divided the emission lines in velocity bins and we calculated several line ratios. Diagnostic diagram...

In recent years, the old paradigm according to which only high-mass black holes can launch powerful relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) has begun to crumble. The discovery of $\gamma$-rays coming from narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s), usually considered young and growing AGN harboring a central black hole with mass typically low...

We present the first results of a radio survey of 79 narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLS1) carried out with the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (JVLA) at 5 GHz in A configuration aimed at studying the radio properties of these sources. We report the detection of extended emission in one object: Mrk 783. This is intriguing, since the radio-loudness parameter...

In recent years, the old paradigm according to which only high-mass black holes can launch powerful relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) proved to be incorrect. The discovery of gamma-rays coming from narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s), usually considered young and growing AGN harboring a black hole whose mass is typically lower th...

In recent years, the old paradigm according to which only high-mass black holes can launch powerful relativistic jets in active galactic nuclei (AGN) has begun to crumble. The discovery of γ-rays coming from narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s), usually considered young and growing AGN harboring a central black hole with mass typically lower than...

Relativistic jets of plasma are a key ingredient of many types of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). Today we know that AGNs are powered by the accretion of inter stellar material into the gravitational field of a Super Massive Black Hole and that this process can release as much power as a whole galaxy, like the Milky Way, from a region that is compara...

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are among the most luminous objects of the Universe and they have been intensely studied, in the last decades, because they are characterized by many interesting astrophysical features. One of them is the narrow-­‐line region (NLR), a region characterized by highly ionized gas clouds with a very complex kinematics. Usua...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies are an interesting subclass of active galactic nuclei (AGN), which tipically does not exhibit any strong radio emission. Seven percent of them, though, are radio-loud and often show a flat radio-spectrum (F-NLS1s). This, along to the detection of $\gamma$-ray emission coming from them, is usually interpreted as a sign...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are active galactic nuclei (AGN) recently identified as a new class of $\gamma$-ray sources. The high energy emission is explained by the presence of a relativistic jet observed at small angles, just like in the case of blazars. When the latter are observed at larger angles they appear as radio-galaxies, but a...

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) are active galactic nuclei (AGN) recently identified as a new class of γ-ray sources. The high energy emission is explained by the presence of a relativistic jet observed at small angles, just like in the case of blazars. When the latter are observed at larger angles they appear as radio-galaxies, but an analo...

Poster presented at the conference "The many facets of extragalactic radio surveys: towards new scientific challenges".

Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1) are active galactic nuclei (AGN) known to have small masses of the central black hole and high accretion rates. NLS1s are generally radio-quiet, but a small part of them (about 7%) are radio-loud. The recent discovery of powerful relativistic jets in radio-loud NLS1s (RLNLS1s), emitting at high-energy γ-rays, o...

The aim of this work is to understand the nature of the parent population of beamed narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s), by studying the physical properties of three parent candidates samples: steep-spectrum radio-loud NLS1s, radio-quiet NLS1s and disk-hosted radio-galaxies. In particular, we focused on the black hole mass and Eddington ratio di...