We have launched a search for large-scale (\gapprox1 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 Hα halos extending along the minor axis, (ii) bright
emission-line complexes at distances \gapprox4 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 \gapprox41​ of Seyferts have good evidence for
minor-axis galactic outflows. Kinetic luminosities of the galactic outflows in
our sample Seyferts are ∼1040−1042 erg~s−1, assuming all
of the observed minor-axis emission is produced by the outflow. These values
are, in general, ∼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 ∼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.Comment: 34 pages (text and tables) AASTEX, figures available from
[email protected], ApJ Supp., June 199