Unveiling the AGN content and properties in a sample of interacting galaxies

The role of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in galaxy evolution, particularly in interacting systems, remains an open question in astrophysics. Galaxy mergers trigger gas inflows that may fuel both star formation and AGN activity, but the exact mechanisms are still debated. The SoSimple project utilizes the MUSE instrument at VLT to study over 150 interacting galaxies from the Arp and Arp-Madore catalogs. Its morphology-based selection avoids AGN-related biases, making it ideal for investigating how interactions influence star formation, gas dynamics, and nuclear activity. Complementary X-ray observations (Chandra, XMM-Newton, NuSTAR) provide insights into supermassive black hole (SMBH) accretion. X-ray spectral analysis suggests the presence of a Compton-thick AGN in NGC 0089 (AM 0018-485), indicated by a high column density (>10²⁴ cm⁻²) and a strong iron line. AGN activity is confirmed in NGC 2992 and IC 5063, consistent with their Seyfert 2 classification. A fourth candidate AGN, ESO285-G019 West (AM 2026-424), shows X-ray luminosity >10⁴¹ erg/s, hinting at nuclear activity. For other galaxies, 2-10 keV luminosities (~10³⁹−41 erg/s) leave uncertainty between low-luminosity AGN and star-forming galaxies. An ongoing optical spectroscopic study with MUSE will be expanded with BPT diagrams to refine AGN classifications and investigate ionization mechanisms. A multi-wavelength approach remains key to identifying AGN in merging systems and understanding the role of galaxy interactions in shaping nuclear activity.