Computer Science
Scientific paper
May 2006
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006sptz.prop30773h&link_type=abstract
Spitzer Proposal ID #30773
Computer Science
Scientific paper
We propose to use the IRS on Spitzer to observe a complete and well-defined sample of the 20 brightest Type 2 (obscured) Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). They are selected from a sample of over 100,000 SDSS AGN on the basis of the flux in the [OIII]5007 emission-line. The full SDSS sample has been used to study the properties of local AGN and their host galaxies with unmatched statistical precision. The results imply that there is on-going co-evolution of black holes and galaxy bulges in the present universe (albeit at lower mass scales than in the past). Given the sensitivity of optical observations to even modest amounts of dust extinction, it is imperative to determine whether mid-IR and optical observations of these objects are consistent. The general goal of the proposal is to produce a set of high-quality mid-IR spectra for a complete sample of the brightest SDSS Type 2 AGN. The specific goals are: 1) To compare measurements of the AGN luminosity derived from the high-ionization mid-IR emission-lines to those derived from similar optical emission-lines. 2) To compare estimates of the relative energetic significance of black hole accretion and star formation in AGN host galaxies derived from optical data to those derived from mid-IR spectroscopy. These two goals address the following two questions: 1) How well can the luminosity of Type 2 SDSS AGN be estimated from optical spectra alone? 2) Can the coupled growth of black holes and galaxy bulges in the low-z universe be adequately quantified from optical data alone? Using the IRS to observe a complete sub-set of the 100,000 Type 2 SDSS AGN is essential to understand the degree to which the SDSS data provide a fair picture of the low-redshift AGN phenomenon. These data will beautifully complement existing IRS surveys of IR-selected AGN.
Armus Lee
Heckman Timothy
Martins Lucimara
Tremonti Christy
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