INTEGRAL FIELD SPECTROSCOPY OF MASSIVE, KILOPARSEC-SCALE OUTFLOWS IN THE INFRARED-LUMINOUS QSO Mrk 231

Abstract

The quasi-stellar object (QSO)/merger Mrk 231 is arguably the nearest and best laboratory for studying QSO feedback. It hosts several outflows, including broad-line winds, radio jets, and a poorly understood kpc-scale outflow. In this Letter, we present integral field spectroscopy from the Gemini telescope that represents the first unambiguous detection of a wide-angle, kiloparsec-scale outflow from a powerful QSO. Using neutral gas absorption, we show that the nuclear region hosts an outflow with blueshifted velocities reaching 1100 km s^–1, extending 2-3 kpc from the nucleus in all directions in the plane of the sky. A radio jet impacts the outflow north of the nucleus, accelerating it to even higher velocities (up to 1400 km s^–1). Finally, 3.5 kpc south of the nucleus, star formation is simultaneously powering an outflow that reaches more modest velocities of only 570 km s^–1. Blueshifted ionized gas is also detected around the nucleus at lower velocities and smaller scales. The mass and energy flux from the outflow are 2.5 times the star formation rate and 0.7% of the active galactic nucleus luminosity, consistent with negative feedback models of QSOs.