23 research outputs found
Current Status of Simulations
As the title suggests, the purpose of this chapter is to review the current
status of numerical simulations of black hole accretion disks. This chapter
focuses exclusively on global simulations of the accretion process within a few
tens of gravitational radii of the black hole. Most of the simulations
discussed are performed using general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (MHD)
schemes, although some mention is made of Newtonian radiation MHD simulations
and smoothed particle hydrodynamics. The goal is to convey some of the exciting
work that has been going on in the past few years and provide some speculation
on future directions.Comment: 15 pages, 14 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the ISSI-Bern
workshop on "The Physics of Accretion onto Black Holes" (8-12 October 2012
Active Galactic Nuclei at the Crossroads of Astrophysics
Over the last five decades, AGN studies have produced a number of spectacular
examples of synergies and multifaceted approaches in astrophysics. The field of
AGN research now spans the entire spectral range and covers more than twelve
orders of magnitude in the spatial and temporal domains. The next generation of
astrophysical facilities will open up new possibilities for AGN studies,
especially in the areas of high-resolution and high-fidelity imaging and
spectroscopy of nuclear regions in the X-ray, optical, and radio bands. These
studies will address in detail a number of critical issues in AGN research such
as processes in the immediate vicinity of supermassive black holes, physical
conditions of broad-line and narrow-line regions, formation and evolution of
accretion disks and relativistic outflows, and the connection between nuclear
activity and galaxy evolution.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures; review contribution; "Exploring the Cosmic
Frontier: Astrophysical Instruments for the 21st Century", ESO Astrophysical
Symposia Serie