Storm in a “Teacup”: A Radio-Quiet Quasar with $\approx$10 kpc Radio-Emitting Bubbles and Extreme Gas Kinematics

Abstract

In this chapter we aim to address the question: what is the physical connection between the radio emission and ionised gas kinematics in radio-quiet quasars? In this pilot study, we present VLA radio and VIMOS IFU observations of the radio-quiet, type 2 quasar that has been nicknamed the “Teacup AGN” due to it emission-line region morphology. In the central $\approx$1 kpc we observe a high-velocity ionised outflow that is co-spatial with a radio structure. This is likely to be a radio jet driving the outflow or a quasar wind that is shocking the ISM at this position. We observe $\approx$10–12 kpc radio bubbles each side of the nucleus, the larger of which is associated with an arc of luminous ionised gas, which appear to be inflated by the central AGN. These observations show that the AGN is interacting with the interstellar medium across multiple scales. Furthermore, their appears to be a large amount of mechanical energy input from this AGN, despite it being formally “radio quiet”. Our study highlights that even when a quasar is formally “radio-quiet” the radio emission can be extremely effective for observing the effects of AGN feedback.