Understanding Dual AGN Activation in the Nearby Universe
  We study the fraction of dual AGN in a sample of 167 nearby (z<0.05),
moderate luminosity, ultra hard X-ray selected AGN from the all-sky Swift BAT
survey. Combining new Chandra and Gemini observations together with optical and
X-ray observations, we find that the dual AGN frequency at scales <100 kpc is
10% (16/167). Of the 16 dual AGN, 3 (19%) were detected using X-ray
spectroscopy and were not detected using emission line diagnostics. Close dual
AGN (<30 kpc) tend to be more common among the most X-ray luminous systems. In
dual AGN, the X-ray luminosity of both AGN increases strongly with decreasing
galaxy separation, suggesting that the merging event is key in powering both
AGN. 50% of the AGN with a very close companion (<15 kpc), are dual AGN. We
also find that dual AGN are more likely to occur in major mergers and tend to
avoid absorption line galaxies with elliptical morphologies. Finally, we find
SDSS Seyferts are much less likely than BAT AGN (0.25% vs. 7.8%) to be found in
dual AGN at scales <30 kpc because of a smaller number of companions galaxies,
fiber collision limits, a tendency for AGN at small separations to be detected
only in X-rays, and a higher fraction of dual AGN companions with increasing
AGN luminosity.
