Black holes in Active Galactic Nuclei: observations
Greg M. Madejski (NASA/Goddard)
TL;DR
This paper reviews observational evidence for black holes in active galactic nuclei, including X-ray variability, optical kinematics, and emission line features, and discusses jet activity and unification models.
Contribution
It compiles and summarizes the strongest observational evidence for black holes in AGNs and discusses current models of jet activity and unification schemes.
Findings
X-ray variability indicates accretion processes.
Optical emission line kinematics support black hole presence.
Fe Kα line shape provides insights into the innermost regions.
Abstract
This paper summarizes the observations which provide the best evidence for the presence of black holes in active galactic nuclei. This includes: X-ray variability; kinematical studies using optical emission lines as well as the distribution of megamaser spots; and the shape of the Fe K X-ray emission line. It also presents the current status of our understanding of jet-dominated active galaxies (blazars), and briefly reviews the currently popular AGN ``Unification Schemes.''
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Taxonomy
TopicsAstrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena · Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations · Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena