Seyfert galaxies have traditionally been classified as radio-quiet active galactic nuclei. A proper consideration of the nuclear optical emission however proves that a majority of Seyferts are radio-loud. Kpc-scale radio lobes/bubbles are in fact rev
ealed in sensitive observations at low radio frequencies of several Seyferts. Through the use of very long baseline interferometry, we have been able to determine the direction of the parsec-scale jets in some of these Seyfert galaxies. The misalignment between the parsec-scale jets and the kpc-scale lobes that is typically observed, is either suggestive of no connection between the two, or the presence of curved jets that power the radio lobes. In this context, we briefly discuss our new low radio frequency GMRT observations of two Seyfert galaxies with lobes.
The mid-far-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of 83 active galaxies, mostly Seyfert galaxies, selected from the extended 12 micron sample are presented. The data were collected using all three instruments, IRAC, IRS, and MIPS, aboard the
Spitzer Space Telescope. The IRS data were obtained in spectral mapping mode, and the photometric data from IRAC and IRS were extracted from matched, 20 arcsec diameter circular apertures. The MIPS data were obtained in SED mode, providing very low resolution spectroscopy (R ~ 20) between ~ 55 and 90 microns in a larger, 20 by 30 arcsec synthetic aperture. We further present the data from a spectral decomposition of the SEDs, including equivalent widths and fluxes of key emission lines; silicate 10 and 18 micron emission and absorption strengths; IRAC magnitudes; and mid-far infrared spectral indices. Finally, we examine the SEDs averaged within optical classifications of activity. We find that the infrared SEDs of Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s with hidden broad line regions (HBLR, as revealed by spectropolarimetry or other technique) are qualitatively similar, except that Seyfert 1s show silicate emission and HBLR Seyfert 2s show silicate absorption. The infrared SEDs of other classes with the 12 micron sample, including Seyfert 1.8-1.9, non-HBLR Seyfert 2 (not yet shown to hide a type 1 nucleus), LINER and HII galaxies, appear to be dominated by star-formation, as evidenced by blue IRAC colors, strong PAH emission, and strong far-infrared continuum emission, measured relative to mid-infrared continuum emission.
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. Combini
ng 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.
