Evolution of the central black hole in an active galactic nucleus. I. Evolution with a constant mass influx

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166638· OSTI ID:6674291

Park, S J; Vishniac, E T

The long-term evolution of the central black hole in an active galactic nucleus (AGN), whose rotational energy is being extracted by the Blandford-Znajek process, was analyzed. The model is based on previous axisymmetric, stationary descriptions of the black hole and its magnetosphere, but includes the secular effects of the mass accretion rate. The properties of the black hole and the nonthermal radiation from its environment are calculated under the assumption that the mass influx is constant. It is noted that this model fails to explain the correlation of evolutionary time scale with luminosity or the extremely rapid evolution required for the most luminous sources. It is concluded that the evolution of AGNs is driven by a rapid decrease in mass accretion rate. Since the nature of an AGN is dependent on the ratio mass accretion/total mass, this leads to a conclusion that AGNs evolve from QSOs into the nuclei of Seyfert or radio galaxies. 20 references.

• Research Organization: Texas Univ., Austin (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6674291
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 332; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102 -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
640105* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Galaxies
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATMOSPHERES
BLACK HOLES
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
GALACTIC EVOLUTION
GALAXIES
GALAXY NUCLEI
INTERSTELLAR MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
QUASARS
RADIO GALAXIES
SEYFERT GALAXIES
STAR ACCRETION
STAR EVOLUTION
STELLAR ATMOSPHERES
STELLAR MAGNETOSPHERES
STELLAR RADIATION