Physics
Scientific paper
Jul 1996
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1996hst..prop.6539h&link_type=abstract
HST Proposal ID #6539
Physics
Hst Proposal Id #6539 Agn
Scientific paper
One of the most striking properties of type 2 Seyfert nucleiis a `featureless' continuum (FC) in the optical and UV thatis considerably bluer than the light from an old stellarpopulation. Recent optical spectropolarimetry and our analysisof archival IUE UV spectra show that only a minority of the FCcan be produced by scattered light from a hidden type 1Seyfert nucleus. The majority of the FC (the `FC2') may beproduced by hot massive stars in a circumnuclear starburst ,or in some heretofore unknown way by the AGN. We propose adirect test of the starburst hypothesis: a starburstpopulation should produce a clear spectroscopic signature inthe form of broad, blue-shifted NVLambda1240 andSiIVLambda1396 stellar wind absorption features. We show thatthese should be detectable in high quality GHRS G140L spectra,and we propose to obtain such data for three type 2 Seyfertnuclei selected on the basis of new FOC UV images of nine ofthe brightest-known Seyfert 2 nuclei. If we see the stellarfeatures, it will establish the existence of a close linkbetween the Seyfert and starburst phenomena. If not, then theFC2 likely represents a truly new phenomenon in the AGN `bagof tricks'. In either case, this result will have significantimplications for our understanding of AGNs. We stress thatSTIS will be much less sensitive than GHRS for theseparticular measurements. Thus, Cycle 6 represents the bestchance in the foreseeable future to directly detect hotmassive stars in these Seyfert galaxies.
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