Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
Jan 2010
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2010aas...21541118p&link_type=abstract
American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #215, #411.18; Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, Vol. 42, p.242
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
Scientific paper
The Spitzer Space Telescope provides a unique view of the Universe at infrared wavelengths. Improved sensitivity and angular resolution over previous missions enable detailed studies of astrophysical objects, both in imaging and spectroscopic modes. Spitzer observations of active galactic nuclei can help shed light on the physical conditions of the central regions of these active galaxies.
The nearby radio galaxy Cygnus A is one of the most luminous radio sources in the local Universe. In addition to the high radio power, it is also very luminous in the infrared. New Spitzer spectroscopy and photometry of Cygnus A is combined with data from the literature at radio and sub-mm wavelengths. The resulting complication is modeled with a combination of: a synchrotron emitting jet, a burst of star formation, and emission from an AGN torus.
The infrared emission in Cyngus A shows contributions from all three processes and the models are able to reproduce the observed emission over almost 5 dex in frequency. The bolometric AGN luminosity is found to be 1045 erg s-1, with a clumpy torus size of 7 pc. Evidence is seen for a break in the synchrotron spectrum in the mid-infrared. The relevant component of the infrared emission suggests Cygnus A has a star formation rate of 20 Msun yr-1. Even in the absence of the AGN, it would still be a luminous infrared source.
This work is based in part on observations made with the Spitzer Space Telescope, which is operated by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology under a contract with NASA. Support for this work was provided by NASA through an award issued by JPL/Caltech.
Axon Dave
Baum Stefi
Gallimore Jack
Noel-Storr Jacob
O'Dea Chris
No associations
LandOfFree
Modeling the Infrared Emission from Cygnus A 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 Modeling the Infrared Emission from Cygnus A, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Modeling the Infrared Emission from Cygnus A will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-965593