A newborn active galactic nucleus in a star-forming galaxy

Abstract

Aims. We report on the finding of a newborn active galactic nucleus (AGN), based on the observation of current AGN activity in a galaxy previously classified as non-active. We subsequently characterize the AGN’s evolution. Methods. Black hole ignition event candidates were selected from a parent sample of spectrally classified non-active galaxies (2 394 312 objects), which currently show optical flux variability indicative of a type I AGN, according to the ALeRCE light curve classifier. A second epoch spectrum for a sample of candidate newborn AGNs was obtained with the SOAR telescope to search for new AGN features. Results. We present the spectral results for the most convincing case of new AGN activity for a galaxy with a prior star-forming optical classification, where the second epoch spectrum shows the appearance of prominent, broad Balmer lines, without any significant changes seen in the narrow line flux ratios. The long-term optical light curves show a steady increase in luminosity starting 1.5 years after the SDSS spectrum was taken and continuing for at least 7 years. Mid-infrared (MIR) colors from the WISE catalog have also evolved from typical non-active galaxy colors to AGN-like colors. Recent X-ray flux detections confirm its nature as an AGN.