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Register a new userThe OI Line Emission in Active Galactic Nuclei Revisited
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Added by
Alberto Rodriguez-Ardila
Publication date
2002
fields
Physics
and research's language is
English
Authors
A. Rodriguez-Ardila
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UV, visible, and near-infrared spectroscopy is used to study the transitions of neutral oxygen leading to the emission of broad OI $lambda$8446, $lambda$11287 and $lambda$1304 in Active Galactic Nuclei. From the strength of the former two lines, contrary to the general belief, we found that in six out of seven galaxies, L-beta fluorescence is not the only mechanism responsible for the formation of these three lines. Because OI $lambda$13165 is almost reduced to noise level, continuum fluorescence is ruled out as an additional excitation mechanism, but the presence of OI $lambda$7774 in one of the objects suggests that collisional ionization may have an important role in the formation of OI $lambda$8446. The usefulness of the OI lines as a reliable reddening indicator for the broad line region is discussed. The values of E(B-V) derived from the OI $lambda 1304/lambda$8446 ratio agree with those obtained using other reddening indicators. The observations point toward a break in the one-to-one photon relation between OI $lambda$8446 and OI $lambda$1304, attributable to several destruction mechanisms that may affect the latter line.
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