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Evolution of Broad-line Emission from Active Galactic Nuclei

Date:
-
Location:
CP179
Speaker(s) / Presenter(s):
Moshe Elitzur (UK)

The variety of observations of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) show that the nuclear activity is powered by a central massive black hole that drives radio emitting jets and ionizes surrounding line-emitting clouds. This central engine is surrounded by an obscuring torus, comprised of optically thick dusty clouds in a rotating configuration. As a result, sources viewed pole-on have a direct sight-line to the central engine and their spectra show broad lines (~ 10,000 km/sec) that are missing from AGN observed edge-on.  Viewing angle was generally considered the only property controlling the AGN line spectrum. Instead, I will present evidence that line emission is actually evolving as the accretion rate to the central black-hole is decreasing and show that this evolution is explained naturally by the dynamical properties of the toroidal obscuration.

Event Series: