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D.C. Hines, A.R. Marble, P.S. Smith, G.D. Schmidt (Steward Observatory), L. Armus, J.A. Surace (SSC), R.M. Cutri, B.O. Nelson (IPAC)
We present preliminary results from our HST/WFPC2 imaging survey of luminous red AGNs discovered within the Two Micron All Sky Survey (2MASS). These objects represent a large population of previously unidentified AGNs in the local universe. They are hosted by a wide variety of morphological types, from classical spiral and elliptical galaxies to disturbed objects reminiscent of Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies. A few show probable companion galaxies. We consider the relationship between host galaxy morphology and properties of the AGN including optical spectral type and polarization. We also compare the 2MASS host galaxies to those of optically-selected AGNs within a similar redshift range.
Support for this work was provided by NASA through grant number GO-09057.01 from the Space Telescope Science Institute, which is operated by Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy Incorporated, under NASA contract NAS5-26555. 2MASS is a joint project of the University of Massachusetts and the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center/California Institute of Technology, funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the National Science Foundation.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: dhines@as.arizona.edu