No Arabic abstract
We present nuclear spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in the range 0.4-16micron for an expanded CfA sample of Seyfert galaxies. The spectral indices from 1-16micron range from alpha_IR 0.9 to 3.8. The shapes of the spectra are correlated with Seyfert type in the sense that steeper nuclear SEDs (nu*f_nu increasing with increasing wavelength) tend to be found in Seyfert 2s and flatter SEDs (nu *f_nu constant) in Seyfert 1-1.5s. The galaxies optically classified as Seyferts 1.8s and 1.9s display values of alpha_IR as in type 1 objects, or values intermediate between those of Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s. The intermediate SEDs of many Seyfert 1.8-1.9s may be consistent with the presence of a pure Seyfert 1 viewed through a moderate amount (A_V <5mag) of foreground galaxy extinction. We find, however, that between 10 and 20% of galaxies with broad optical line components have steep infrared SEDs. Torus models usually adopt high equatorial opacities to reproduce the infrared properties of Seyfert 1s and 2s, resulting in a dichotomy of infrared SEDs (flat for type 1s, and steep for type 2s). Such a dichotomy, however, is not observed in our sample. The wide range of spectral indices observed in the type 2 objects, the lack of extremely steep SEDs, and the large numbers of objects with intermediate spectral indices cannot be reconciled with predictions from existing optically thick torus models. We discuss possible modifications to improve torus models, including low optical depth tori, clumpy dusty tori, and high-optical-depth tori with an extended optically thin component.
The infrared is a key wavelength regime for probing the dusty, obscured nuclear regions of active galaxies. We present results from an infrared study of 87 nearby Seyfert galaxies using the Spitzer Space Telescope and ground-based telescopes. Combining detailed modelling of the 3 - 100 micron spectral energy distributions with mid-IR spectral diagnostics and near-infrared observations, we find broad support for the unified model of AGNs. The IR emission of Seyfert 1s and 2s is consistent with their having the same type of central engine viewed at a different orientation. The nature of the putative torus is becoming clearer; in particular we present evidence that it is likely a clumpy medium. Mid-infrared correlations between tracers of star formation and AGN ionizing luminosity reveal the starburst-AGN connection implied by the black hole/bulge mass relation, however it is not yet clear if this is due to feedback.
We present ongoing work on the spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), derived from X-ray, ultraviolet, optical, infrared and radio photometry and spectroscopy. Our work is motivated by new wide-field imaging surveys that will identify vast numbers of AGNs, and by the need to benchmark AGN SED fitting codes. We have constructed 41 SEDs of individual AGNs and 80 additional SEDs that mimic Seyfert spectra. All of our SEDs span 0.09 to 30 microns, while some extend into the X-ray and/or radio. We have tested the utility of the SEDs by using them to generate AGN photometric redshifts, and they outperform SEDs from the prior literature, including reduced redshift errors and flux density residuals.
We present spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 41 active galactic nuclei, derived from multiwavelength photometry and archival spectroscopy. All of the SEDs span at least 0.09 to 30 micron, but in some instances wavelength coverage extends into the X-ray, far-infrared and radio. For some AGNs we have fitted the measured far-infrared photometry with greybody models, while radio flux density measurements have been approximated by power-laws or polynomials. We have been able to fill some of the gaps in the spectral coverage using interpolation or extrapolation of simple models. In addition to the 41 individual AGN SEDs, we have produced 72 Seyfert SEDs by mixing SEDs of the central regions of Seyferts with galaxy SEDs. Relative to the literature, our templates have broader wavelength coverage and/or higher spectral resolution. We have tested the utility of our SEDs by using them to generate photometric redshifts for 0 < z < 6.12 AGNs in the Bootes field (selected with X-ray, IR and optical criteria) and, relative to SEDs from the literature, they produce comparable or better photometric redshifts with reduced flux density residuals.
We consider archival ROSAT and HST observations of five FRI radio galaxies and isolate their nuclear emission from that of the host galaxy. This enable us to determine the Spectral Energy Distributions (SED) of their nuclei spanning from the radio to the X-ray band. They cannot be described as single power-laws but require the presence of an emission peak located between the IR and soft X-ray band. We found consistency between the SED peak position and the values of the broad band spectral indices of radio galaxies with those of BL Lac, once the effects of beaming are properly taken into account. FRI SED are thus qualitatively similar to those of BL Lacs supporting the identification of FRI sources as their mis-oriented counterparts. No dependence of the shape of the SED on the FR~I orientation is found.
Planets are often invoked as the cause of inferred gaps or inner clearings in transition disks. These putative planets would interact with the remnant circumstellar disk, accreting gas and generating substantial luminosity. Here I explore the expected appearance of accreting protoplanets at a range of evolutionary states. I compare synthetic spectral energy distributions with the handful of claimed detections of substellar-mass companions in transition disks. While observed fluxes of candidate companions are generally compatible with accreting protoplanets, challenges remain in reconciling the extended structure inferred in observed objects with the compact emission expected from protoplanets or circumplanetary disks. I argue that a large fraction of transition disks should harbor bright protoplanets, and that more may be detected as larger telescopes open up additional parameter space.