| Description |
We propose Herschel SPIRE and PACS atomic and molecular line spectroscopy and photometry of
23 H2-luminous radio galaxies. Most of these galaxies are IR-weak, such that the kinetic energy
output of the radio jet dominates over the radiative output from the AGN accretion disk and star
formation in the host galaxy. This new class of galaxies, discovered by Spitzer, has unique MIR
spectra with very strong H2 rotational emission lines but weak PAH features compared to normal
star-forming galaxies. We may be seeing the direct effects of AGN radio jet feedback, dramatically
and fundamentally disturbing the host galaxy interstellar medium in a way that suppresses star
formation. Herschel spectroscopy and photometry are essential to inventory the mass and
energetics of the atomic and molecular ISM over a wide range of densities and temperatures,
and thereby obtain a better understanding of the radio jet feedback mechanism that regulates
massive galaxy evolution. We will use shock models to interpret the [O I] and CO emission line
spectra and determine the density, temperature, and energetics of shocked molecular gas.
Herschel photometry will probe the peak of the IR SED and yield estimates of the total mass of
cold dust and cold molecular gas. This will allow us to assess what fraction of the molecular ISM is
disturbed by shocks, and understand why and to what extent star formation is suppressed by
radio jet feedback. |
