The AGN Torus --- a Paradigm Change
Moshe Elitzur (U. Kentucky) - Oct 1, 2009 at 12:10 pm
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. The torus
dynamical origin, and especially its vertical support, present a serious
challenge.
We have recently developed the formalism for radiative transfer in
clumpy media, and in this talk I show that past problems with modeling
the AGN infrared emission find a natural explanation in clumpy torus
models. Furthermore, the clumpy model may also provide the answer for
the torus dynamical origin and solidify the case for a paradigm shift:
the torus is apparently just the dusty region of wind outflow from the
AGN accretion disk in which the clouds are optically thick.
The seminar will be held in 544 Campbell Hall.
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