Program: GS-2014A-Q-78

We propose GMOS IFU emission-line spectroscopy of the inner kiloparsec of the nearby active galaxies MCG 05-23-016, MCG 06-30-015, NGC 3783, NGC 6300, NGC 6814. With a companion Gemini North proposal (4 targets), these observations will complete a program of optical integral field spectroscopy to map the kinematics and excitation conditions of the circum-nuclear gas in a complete, distance limited sample of hard-x ray selected active galaxies. Our main goal is to study AGN "feeding" and "feedback" processes on sub-kiloparsec scales for a range of activity types and luminosities. We will use the data to determine the gas velocity field and hence isolate non-rotational motions such as inward streaming and/or outflows. Emission line diagnostics will be used to identify the ionization sources of the kinematic components and constraint the physical parameters of the inflows and outflows such as the geometry, gas density and mass flow rate. With this information for the complete sample of 20 objects, combined with results from our earlier studies of low luminosity AGN, we will be able to relate mass outflow rates to inflow rates and the accretion power providing important constraints on the overall mass-energy budget of the SMBH growth phase.