Imaging polarimetry of the Narrow Line Region of Seyfert galaxies

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Hst Proposal Id #5918 Agn

Scientific paper

defEtal et al. We propose to unveil the origin of the polarization of forbidden lines observed in Seyfert galaxies by performing imaging polarimetry of the Narrow Line Region {NLR} of three nearby Seyfert 2 galaxies. The origin of the polarization of the narrow lines is not understood. HST imaging polarimetry of NGC 1068 has shown that the polarization of the forbidden lines in this galaxy is due to scattering, by analogy with the continuum and the permitted lines polarization. When trying to establish the properties of the NLR, it is fundamental to understand the relevance of line scattering in Seyfert galaxies. If NGC 1068 is typical, and we believe it is, the overall structure of the NLR is dramatically influenced by scattering: light produced in the brightest region of line emission is reverberated within the whole nuclear region and can actually dominate the NLR. The observed morphology of the NLR does not correspond to the true distribution of line-emitting gas but rather to a mixture of emitting and reflecting media. Imaging polarimetry allows us to disentangle intrinsic and scattered emission and to determine the true distribution of the emitting gas and the reflecting medium. The information we will obtain on the nature and distribution of the scattering material is crucial in the framework of the unified models for Seyfert galaxies.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Imaging polarimetry of the Narrow Line Region of Seyfert galaxies 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 Imaging polarimetry of the Narrow Line Region of Seyfert galaxies, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Imaging polarimetry of the Narrow Line Region of Seyfert galaxies will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1171497

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.