1,759 research outputs found
The Infrared-X-ray continuum correlation in Active Galactic Nuclei
The correlation between the soft X-ray and near infrared emission from AGN is
analysed using composite models by the code SUMA. We find new evidences for
differences in ranges of parameters which characterize the NLR of Seyfert
galaxies and LINERs. Results obtained by modelling the Einstein and the ROSAT
samples of galaxies are in full agreement. In order to fit the infrared and
X-ray continua, an eta factor is defined, which accounts for the emitting area
of the cloud. If the infrared emission is due to bremsstrahlung and comes from
the same cloud producing the soft X-rays, the eta values obtained from both
emissions must be the same. Therefore, if eta_IR < eta_soft-X there must be a
strong contribution of soft X-rays from the active centre. From the eta values
we expect to identify the objects that could present strong variability. \Comment: 11 pages,13 figures, in press in MNRAS. in press in MNRA
Extended Coronal Emission Lines in Active Galactic Nuclei
VLT and NTT spectra are used to examine the nuclear and extended coronal line
emission in a sample of well-known Seyfert 1 and 2 galaxies. The excellent
spatial resolution obtained with VLT allowed us to map [SiVI] 1.963 m and
[SiVII] 2.48 m on scales of up to 20 pc. Coronal line emission, extended
to distances of 100 pc, is detected in some of the lines analyzed,
particularly in [FeX] 6374\AA, [FeXI] 7891\AA, and [SiVII] 2.48m. Most
coronal lines are strongly asymmetric towards the blue and broader than
low-ionization lines. This result is particularly important for Circinus, where
previous observations had failed at detecting larger widths for high-ionization
lines. Photoionization models are used to investigate the physical conditions
and continuum luminosities necessary to produced the observed coronal emission.
We found that an ionization parameter U> 0.10 is necessary to reproduce the
observations, although the clouds should be located at distances < 30 pc.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, to appear in proceedings of IAU Symposium No.
222, The Interplay Among Black Holes, Stars and ISM in Galacti Nucle
The optical-ultraviolet continuum of Seyfert 2 galaxies
This paper aims to understand the continuum of Seyfert 2 galaxies. By fitting
the single galaxies in the sample of Heckman et al. (1995) with composite
models (shock+ photoionization from the active center), we show that five main
components characterize the SED of the continuum. Shocks play an important role
since they produce a high temperature zone where soft X-rays are emitted.
We show that in the optical-UV range, the slope of the NLR emission
reproduces the observed values, and may be the main component of the
featureless continuum. The presence of star forming regions cannot be excluded
in the circumnuclear region of various Seyfert galaxies. An attempt is made to
find their fingerprints in the observed AGN spectra. Finally, it is
demonstrated that multi-cloud models are necessary to interpret the spectra of
single objects, even in the global investigation of a sample of galaxies.Comment: 26 pages, LaTeX (including 5 Tables) + 17 PostScript figures. To
appear in "The Astrophysical Journal
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