Speaker
Description
Supermassive black holes spend up to 95% of their lifetimes in low-accretion states, yet the nature and cumulative impact of their feedback remain poorly constrained. Recent JWST observations of M58, a nearby low-luminosity AGN (LLAGN), reveal more than 44 molecular hydrogen emission lines excited by low-velocity, low-density shocks. The shocked warm molecular gas extends to kiloparsec scales without exhibiting strong large-scale kinematic disturbances. However, within the central ~200 pc, the gas shows enhanced turbulence consistent with low-velocity outflows. A simple expanding-bubble model indicates a strong coupling between the shock energy and the warm molecular phase. Comparable H₂ excitation signatures observed in other nearby LLAGN suggest that this subtle, yet measurable, mode of feedback may be more widespread than previously recognised.