Dynamics of the broad-line gas in Seyfert 1 galaxies

Journal Article · Fri Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 1982 · Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/183717· OSTI ID:5652489

Tohline, J E; Osterbrock, D E

Recent analyses of the properties of nearby Seyfert 1 galaxies indicate that there is no correlation between the widths of the broad permitted lines and the observed inclination of the galaxies' spiral disks. The absence of such a correlation suggests that the lines are not rotationally broadened. We point out in this, Letter, however, that there are both observational and theoretical grounds for believing that rapidly rotating gas in the nucleus of a spiral galaxy need not be confined to the same plane as the galaxy's primary disk. Therefore, the absence of a correlation between line widths and disk inclination does not rule out rotation as the primary broadening mechanism for lines emitted from the broad-line gas in Seyfert 1 galaxies. Models of the dynamics of the nuclear gas in active galactic nuclei should allow for a possible ''tilted'' orientation of the gas.

• Research Organization: Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory
• OSTI ID: 5652489
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Lett. Ed.; (United States), Vol. 252:2
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
SEYFERT GALAXIES
COSMIC GASES
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
ENERGY SPECTRA
GALAXY NUCLEI
LINE BROADENING
LINE WIDTHS
ROTATION
FLUIDS
GALAXIES
GASES
MOTION
SPECTRA
640105* - Astrophysics & Cosmology- Galaxies