Kinematics of the broad-line region in M81

Nick Devereux; Andrew Shearer

doi:10.1086/522292

Kinematics of the broad-line region in M81

Nick Devereux, Andrew Shearer

Physics

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A new model is presented that explains the origin of the broad emission lines observed in the LINER/Seyfert nucleus of M81 in terms of a steady state spherically symmetric inflow, amounting to ∼1 × 10^-5 M _⊙ yr^-1, which is sufficient to explain the luminosity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN). The emitting volume has an outer radius of ∼1 pc, making it the largest broad-line region (BLR) yet to be measured, and it contains a total mass of ∼5 × 10^-2 M _⊙ of dense, ∼10⁸ cm^-3, ionized gas, leading to a very lowfilling factor of ∼5 × 10^-9. The fact that the BLR in M81 is so large may explain why the AGN is unable to sustain the ionization seen there. Thus, the AGN in M81 is not simply a scaled-down quasar.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	118-123
Number of pages	6
Journal	Astrophysical Journal
Volume	671
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1086/522292
Publication status	Published - 10 Dec 2007

Keywords

Galaxies: Seyfert
Galaxies: individual (M81, NGC 3031)
Quasars: emission lines

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10.1086/522292

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title = "Kinematics of the broad-line region in M81",

abstract = "A new model is presented that explains the origin of the broad emission lines observed in the LINER/Seyfert nucleus of M81 in terms of a steady state spherically symmetric inflow, amounting to ∼1 × 10-5 M ⊙ yr-1, which is sufficient to explain the luminosity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN). The emitting volume has an outer radius of ∼1 pc, making it the largest broad-line region (BLR) yet to be measured, and it contains a total mass of ∼5 × 10-2 M ⊙ of dense, ∼108 cm-3, ionized gas, leading to a very lowfilling factor of ∼5 × 10-9. The fact that the BLR in M81 is so large may explain why the AGN is unable to sustain the ionization seen there. Thus, the AGN in M81 is not simply a scaled-down quasar.",

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T1 - Kinematics of the broad-line region in M81

AU - Devereux, Nick

AU - Shearer, Andrew

PY - 2007/12/10

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N2 - A new model is presented that explains the origin of the broad emission lines observed in the LINER/Seyfert nucleus of M81 in terms of a steady state spherically symmetric inflow, amounting to ∼1 × 10-5 M ⊙ yr-1, which is sufficient to explain the luminosity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN). The emitting volume has an outer radius of ∼1 pc, making it the largest broad-line region (BLR) yet to be measured, and it contains a total mass of ∼5 × 10-2 M ⊙ of dense, ∼108 cm-3, ionized gas, leading to a very lowfilling factor of ∼5 × 10-9. The fact that the BLR in M81 is so large may explain why the AGN is unable to sustain the ionization seen there. Thus, the AGN in M81 is not simply a scaled-down quasar.

AB - A new model is presented that explains the origin of the broad emission lines observed in the LINER/Seyfert nucleus of M81 in terms of a steady state spherically symmetric inflow, amounting to ∼1 × 10-5 M ⊙ yr-1, which is sufficient to explain the luminosity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN). The emitting volume has an outer radius of ∼1 pc, making it the largest broad-line region (BLR) yet to be measured, and it contains a total mass of ∼5 × 10-2 M ⊙ of dense, ∼108 cm-3, ionized gas, leading to a very lowfilling factor of ∼5 × 10-9. The fact that the BLR in M81 is so large may explain why the AGN is unable to sustain the ionization seen there. Thus, the AGN in M81 is not simply a scaled-down quasar.

KW - Galaxies: Seyfert

KW - Galaxies: individual (M81, NGC 3031)

KW - Quasars: emission lines

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U2 - 10.1086/522292

DO - 10.1086/522292

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VL - 671

SP - 118

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JO - Astrophysical Journal

JF - Astrophysical Journal

IS - 1

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Kinematics of the broad-line region in M81

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