Low-power jet–interstellar medium interaction in NGC 7319 revealed by JWST/MIRI MRS

We present JWST/MIRI MRS spectroscopy of NGC7319, the largest galaxy in Stephan's Quintet, observed as part Early Release Observations (ERO). NGC7319 hosts a type 2 active galactic nucleus (AGN) and low-power radio jet (L_1.4GHz=3.3x10^22 W Hz^-1) with two asymmetric hotspots at 430 pc (N2) 1.5 kpc (S2) projected distances from unresolved core. The data suggest that molecular material disk decelerates causes this length asymmetry. find enhanced emission warm hot H_2 (T_w=330+-40 K, T_h=900+-60 K) ionized gas intersection between axis dust lanes disk. This is coincident hotspot N2, closer to core, suggesting jet-interstellar medium (ISM) interaction jet. Conversely, mid-infrared more distant fainter, highly ionized, lower excitation, diffuse atomic environment where can progress farther distances. At N2 hotspot, mass (M_ion=(2.4-12)x10^5 Msun) comparable H_2, but former turbulent (sigma_ion~300 vs. sigma_H2~150 km/s), so mechanical energy ~1.3-10 times higher. From these estimates, we only <1% remains ISM phases N2. also extended (r>0.3-1.5 kpc) high-ionization ([MgV], [NeVI], [NeV]) close hotspots. initial analysis shows potential MIRI/MRS investigate AGN feedback mechanisms due jets their radiation field the, often heavily dust-enshrouded, central regions galaxies. Understanding an essential ingredient development cosmological simulations evolution.