A jet-induced outflow of warm gas in 3C 293

Using long-slit emission-line spectra we detect a fast outflow of ionized gas, with velocities up to 1000 km s−1, in the nearby powerful radio galaxy 3C 293 (z = 0.045). The fast outflow is located about 1 kpc east of the nucleus, in a region of enhanced radio emission due to the presence of a distorted radio jet. We present results that indicate that this fast outflow is caused by a jet–ISM interaction. The kinematics of the outflowing ionized gas are very similar to those of a fast outflow of neutral hydrogen gas in this galaxy, suggesting that both outflows are the result of the same driving mechanism. While the mass of the outflowing ionized gas is about 1 × 105 M�, the total H I mass involved in the neutral outflow is about 100 times higher (107 M�). This shows that, despite the high energies that must be involved in driving the outflow, most of the gas remains, or again becomes, neutral. Other outflows of ionized gas, although not as pronounced as in the region of the enhanced radio emission, are also seen in various other regions along the axis of the inner radio jets. The regular kinematics of the emission-line gas along the major axis of the host galaxy reveals a rotating ionized gas disc 30 kpc in extent.