Large-Scale Outflows in Edge-on Seyfert Galaxies. I. Optical Emission- Line Imaging and Optical Spectroscopy

We have launched a search for large-scale ($\text{gapprox}$1 kpc) minor-axis outflows in edge-on Seyfert galaxies in order to assess their frequency of occurrence and study their properties. Here we present optical continuum and \han2 line images and/or minor-axis long-slit spectra of 22 edge-on Seyfert galaxies. Six of these galaxies show at least one of the following: (i) bi-symmetric H$\alpha$ halos extending along the minor axis, (ii) bright emission-line complexes at distances $\text{gapprox}$4 kpc (in projection) out of the disk, and (iii) double-peaked emission-line profiles from the gas along the minor-axis, suggesting that a wind-blown bubble is present. Our results indicate that $\text{gapprox}$$\frac{1}{4}$ of Seyferts have good evidence for minor-axis galactic outflows. Kinetic luminosities of the galactic outflows in our sample Seyferts are $\sim$10${}^{40}$$-$10${}^{42}$ erg~s${}^{-1}$, assuming all of the observed minor-axis emission is produced by the outflow. These values are, in general, $\sim$0.1 as large as those for well-studied cases of superwinds in starburst galaxies (Heckman, Armus & Miley 1990). However, far-infrared luminosities of our sample Seyferts are also $\sim$0.1 as large. Both starburst-driven superwinds and wide-angled outflows from the active galactic nucleus are possible explanations for the observed large-scale outflows.