Massive Compact Galaxies with High-Velocity Outflows: Morphological Analysis and Constraints on AGN Activity

Understand

We investigate the process of rapid star formation quenching in a sample of 12 massive galaxies at intermediate redshift (z~0.6) that host high-velocity ionized gas outflows (v>1000 km/s).

• We conclude that these fast outflows are most likely driven by feedback from star formation rather than active galactic nuclei (AGN).
• We use multiwavelength survey and targeted observations of the galaxies to assess their star formation, AGN activity, and morphology.
• Common attributes include diffuse tidal features indicative of recent mergers accompanied by bright, unresolved cores with effective radii less than a few hundred parsecs.