Some implications of high luminosity and fast variability in active galactic nuclei

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Adv. Space Res.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6207231

Bassani, L; Dean, A J

An analysis of the variability timescale against bolometric luminosity for Active Galactic Nuclei shows that a number of sources violate the Eddington limit. The average ratio (L/LE) is found to change according to group classification. Whilst Seyfert Galaxies have luminosities well within the Eddington limit, Quasars and BL Lac object tend to approach and exceed this limit. Furthermore, BL Lac objects may be further subdivided on the basis of their (L/LE) ratio. The data on luminosity and variability timescale indicate the existence of two types of active galaxies, one having highly anisotropic emission, probably collimated into jets with pointing angles within few degrees to the line of sight, and the other relating to isotropic emission of photons from the nuclear region. The results are discussed in the light of the high gamma-ray luminosity suggested by recent observations of active galaxies. 9 references.

• Research Organization: Southampton Univ., England
• OSTI ID: 6207231
• Report Number(s): CONF-8307144-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Adv. Space Res.; (United States) Journal Volume: 3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BL LACERTAE OBJECTS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
EDDINGTON THEORY
EMISSION SPECTRA
ENERGY SPECTRA
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
GAMMA SPECTRA
LUMINOSITY
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUASARS
SEYFERT GALAXIES
SPECTRA
VARIATIONS