The Origin of Wavelength-Dependent Continuum Delays in AGNs - a New Model

Details The Origin of Wavelength-Dependent Continuum Delays in AGNs - a New Model The Origin of Wavelength-Dependent Continuum Delays in AGNs - a New Model

2006-12-17

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0612474v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

To appear in "The Central Engine of Active Galactic Nuclei", ed. L. C. Ho and J.-M. Wang (San Francisco: Astronomical Society

Scientific paper

A model of wavelength-dependent lags in optical continuum variability of AGNs is proposed which avoids the problems of the popular ``lamp-post'' model. Rather than being due to reprocessing of high-energy radiation from a hypothetical source above the accretion disk, the wavelength-dependent delays observed from the B to I bands are instead due to contamination of an intrinsically coherently variable continuum with the Wien tail of the thermal emission from the hot dust in the surrounding torus. The new model correctly gives the size, wavelength dependence, and luminosity dependence of the lags, and quantitatively predicts observed color hysteresis. The model also explains how the measured delays vary with epoch of observation. There must also be contamination by scattered light and this can be detected by a lag in the polarized flux.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The Origin of Wavelength-Dependent Continuum Delays in AGNs - a New Model does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with The Origin of Wavelength-Dependent Continuum Delays in AGNs - a New Model, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The Origin of Wavelength-Dependent Continuum Delays in AGNs - a New Model will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-609422