Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optical and X-Ray Properties of Active Galactic Nuclei

  • Chapter
Topics in Atomic and Nuclear Collisions

Part of the book series: NATO ASI Series ((NSSB,volume 321))

  • 134 Accesses

Abstract

The discovery of nuclear activity in galaxies results from the pioneering work of Fathi, Slipher2 and Hubble3. The first found Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), NGC1068, NGC4051 and NGC4151, displayed not only strong broad permittted emission hydrogen lines (such as Hβ λ4861) but also narrow forbidden ion emission lines, characteristic of well known diffuse HII regions and planetary nebulae: UV lines [0II] λ3727, [Ne III] λ3869 and green lines [OIII] λ λ4363, 4959, 5007. A systematic study by Seyfert (1943) led to define a specific class of galaxies, called since Seyfert galaxies, with a bright small size nucleus and many highly ionized emission lines broader than those found in nebulae. Baade and Minkowski5 found powerful radio galaxies with the same spectral properties than Seyfert galaxies. Those Broad Line Radio Galaxies (BLRGs) are less common than Seyfert galaxies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Fath, E.A., The spectra of some spiral nebulae and globular star clusters, Lick Obs. Bull. 5:71 (1909).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Slipher, V.M., The spectrum and velocity of the nebula N.G.C. 1068 (M77) Lowell Obs. Bull. 3:59 (1917).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Hubble, E. 1926, Extragalactic nebulae, Astrophys.J., 64:321–369.

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Seyfert, C.K., Nuclear emission in spiral nebulae, Astrophys.J. 97:28 (1943).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Baade, W. and Minkowski, R., Identification of the radio source in Cassiopeia, Cygnus A, and Puppis A,Astrophys.J. 119:206 (1954)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Schmidt, M.., 3C273: A star-like object with large redshift, Nature 197:1040 (1963).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Greenstein, J.L. and Matthews, T.A., Red-shift of the unusual radio source: 3C48, Nature 197:1041 (1963).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  8. Netzer, H., Quasars and active galactic nuclei, to appear in Volume VI/3 of Landolt- BSmstein, “Astronomy and Astrophysics”, Preprint NASA/GSFC 92008 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  9. Collin-Souffrin, S. Active galactic nuclei: nature or nurture ?, in Proceedings of the “Rencontres de Moriond” (March 1992), Trin Xuan Thuan, Balkowski, C., Tran Thanh Van, eds., Editions Frontières (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wallinder, F.H., Kato, S. and Abramowicz, M.A., Variability of the central region in active galactic nuclei, The Astron. Astrophys. Rev. 4:79–122 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Bregman, J.N., Continuum radiation from active galactic nuclei, Astron. Astrophys. Rev. 2:125–165 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  12. Osterbrock, D.E., “Astrophysics of Gaseous Nebulae and Active Galactic Nuclei,” University Science Books, Mill Valley, California (1989).

    Google Scholar 

  13. Osterbrock, D.E., Active galactic nuclei, Rev. Prog. Phys. 54:579–633 (1991).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  14. Soifer, B.T., Houck, J.R. and Neugebauer, G.,The Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS) view of the extragalactic sky, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys., 25:187–230 (1987).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  15. Osterbrock, D.E. and Mathews, W.G.,, Emission-line regions of active galaxies and QSOs, Ann. Rev. Astron. Astrophys., 24:171 (1986).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. Weedman, D.W.,, “Quasar Astronomy”, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1986).

    Book  Google Scholar 

  17. Wiita, P.J., Active galactic nuclei I. Observations and fundamental interpretations, Physics Reports,123:117 (1985).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  18. Cannizzo, J.K. and Kaitchuck, R.H., Accretion disks in interacting binary stars, Scientific American, p. 42. (January 1992).

    Google Scholar 

  19. Rees, M.J., Black holes in galactic centers, Scientific American, p. 26. (November 1990).

    Google Scholar 

  20. Motch, C. and Hasinger, G., ROSAT et le fonds diffus extragalactique, La Recherche,244:772 (June 1992).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  21. Woltjer, L., Véron, P., Véron-Cetty, M.-P., Les quasarsLa Recherche,247:1118 (Octobre 1992).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  22. Peebles, P.J.E.,“Physical Cosmology”, Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey (1971).

    Google Scholar 

  23. Véron-Cetty, M.-P. and Véron, P., A catalogue of quasars and active galactic nuclei (5th edition), European Southern Observatory, Scientific Report n°10 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hartwick, F.D.A. and Schade, D., The space distribution of quasars, Annual Rev. Astron. Astrophys.,28:437 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  25. Boyle, B.J., Shanks, T. and Peterson, B.A.., The evolution of optically selected QSOs-II, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron.Soc., 235:935 (1988).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  26. Boyle, B.J., Fong, R., Shanks, T. and Peterson, B.A.., A catalogue of faint, UV-excess objects, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron.Soc., 243:1 (1990).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  27. IRAS Point Source Catalog, Washington, DC: US Govt. Print. Off. (1985).

    Google Scholar 

  28. Gioia, I.M. et al., The EINSTEIN observatory extended medium-sensitivity survey.I. X-ray data and analysis, Astrophys.J.Suppl., 72:567 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  29. Maccacaro, T. et al., The properties of X-ray selected active galactic nuclei. I Luminosity function, cosmological evolution, and contribution to the diffuse X-ray background, Astrophys.J., 374:117 (1991).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  30. Shanks T. et al., The origin of the cosmic X-ray background, Nature,353:315 (1991).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  31. Urry, C.M., Maraschi, L. and Phinney, E.S., The grand unified theories of AGN, Comments Astrophys.15:111 (1991).

    Google Scholar 

  32. Marshall, F.E. et al.., A new X-ray spectral observation of NGC1068, Astrophys.J., (to appear in March 1, 1993 issue) (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  33. Wilkes, BJ. and Elvis, M., Quasar energy distributions. I. Soft X-ray spectra of quasars, Astrophys.J.,323:243 (1987).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  34. Fichtel, C.E., Bertsch, D.L., Dingus, B., Hartman, R.C., Hunter, S.D., Kwok, P.W., Mattox, J.R., Sreekumar, P., Thompson, D.J., Kniffen, D.A., Lin, Y.C., Nolan, P.L., Michelson, P.F., Kanbach, G., Mayer-Hasselwander, emission from active galactic nuclei observed by the energetic gamma-ray telescope experiment (EGRET), in Proceedings of the COMPTON Observatory Symposium, Washington University, St. Louis, MO, October 15–17, 1992, to appear in AIP Conference Proceedings, Preprint NASA/GSFC 93–14 (1993).

    Google Scholar 

  35. Baath, L.B., in: “Extragalactic Radio Sources - From Beams to Jets”, J. Roland, H.. Sol, and G. Pelletier,eds, Cambridge University Press, p. 137.(1992).

    Google Scholar 

  36. Barvainis, R.,, On the optical to far-infrared spectral energy distributions of radio-quiet quasars, Astrophys.J., 353:419 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  37. Green, P.J., Anderson, S.F. and Ward, M.J., A compilation of active and normal galaxies observed in both infrared and X-rays, Astrophys.J.,254:30 (1992).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  38. Turner, T.J. and Pounds, K.A., The EXOSAT spectral survey of AGN, Monthly Notices Roy. Astron.Soc.,240:833 (1989).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  39. Comastri, A., Setti, G., Zamorani, G., Elvis, M., Giommi, P., Wilkes, B.J. and McDowell, J.C., EXOSAT X-ray spectra of quasars, Astrophys.J. 384:62 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  40. Wilkes, B.J., Elvis, M., Fiore, F., McDowell, J.C., Tananbaum, H. and Lawrence, A., PKSO438–436: a high redshift quasar with strong X-ray absorption, Astrophys.J.Letters, 393:L1 (1992).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  41. Masnou, J.L., Wilkes, B.J., Elvis, M., McDowell, J.C. and Arnaud, K.A.,, The soft X-ray excess in Einstein quasar spectra, Astron. Astrophys., 253:35 (1992).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  42. Masnou, J.L., Wilkes, B.J., Elvis, M., McDowell, J.C. and Arnaud, K.A., in: “Extragalactic Radio Sources - From Beams to Jets”, J. Roland, H. Sol, and G. Pelletier,eds, Cambridge University Press, p. 23. (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  43. Saxton, R.D., Turner, M.J.L., Williams, O.R., Stewart, G.C., Ohashi, T. and Kii, T., The soft excesses of high luminosity AGN, Preprint XRA 92/17 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  44. Pounds, K.A., Nandra, K., Stewart, G.C., George, L.M. and Fabian, A.C.,, X-ray reflection from cold matter in the nuclei of active galaxies, Nature, 344:132 (1990).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  45. Shields, G.A.., Thermal continuum from accretion disks in quasars, Nature,272:706 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  46. Malkan, M.A. and Sargent, W.L.W. The ultraviolet excess of Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasars, Astrophys.J., 254:22 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  47. Matt, G., Perola, G.C., Piro, L. and Stella, L., Iron Ka line from X-ray illuminated relativistic disks, Astron. Astrophys., 257:63 (1992).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  48. Netzer, H., Ionized absorbers, ionized emitters and the X-ray spectrum of AGNs, Preprint NASA/GSFC 92–028 (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  49. Collin-Souffrin, S., On the origin of the optical and UV continuum in active galactic nuclei, Astron. Astrophys., 249:344 (1991).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  50. Rokaki, E. and Magnan, C., Correlated variations of lines and continuum by disk reprocessing in NGC 5548, Astron. Astrophys., 261:41 (1992).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  51. Krolik, H.J., McKee, C.F. and Tarter, C.B., Two-phase models of quasar emission line regions, Astrophys.J.,249:422 (1981).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  52. Dumont, A.M. and Collin-Souffrin, S., Line and continuum emission from the outer regions of accretion discs in active galactic nuclei V. Detailed computational results., Astron. Astrophys.Suppl. Ser.,83:71 (1990)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  53. Rokaki, E., Boisson, C., Collin-Souffrin, S., Fitting broad line spectrum and UV continuum by accretion disks in active galactic nuclei, Astron. Astrophys., 253:57 (1992).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  54. Collin-Souffrin, S., Accretion disks in AGN context: hints toward non standard disks ?, in Proceedings of the Cambridge Conference “Active Galactic Nuclei” (July 1992), B. Boule et al., eds, Cambridge University Press (1992).

    Google Scholar 

  55. Perry, J.J. and Dyson, J.E., Shock formation of the broad emission-line regions in QSOs and active galactic nuclei, Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc.,213:665 (1985).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. UPR176, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, DARC, Observatoire de Paris, Section de Meudon, 92190, Meudon, France

    Jean-Louis Masnou

Authors
  1. Jean-Louis Masnou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. IN2 P3/CNRS, Paris, France

    B. Remaud

  2. Institute of Atomic Physics, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania

    A. Calboreanu  & V. Zoran  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1994 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Masnou, JL. (1994). Optical and X-Ray Properties of Active Galactic Nuclei. In: Remaud, B., Calboreanu, A., Zoran, V. (eds) Topics in Atomic and Nuclear Collisions. NATO ASI Series, vol 321. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2431-1_24

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-2431-1_24

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-6032-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-2431-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation