Date Available
11-2-2012
Year of Publication
2012
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Arts and Sciences
Department/School/Program
Physics and Astronomy
First Advisor
Dr. Moshe Elitzur
Abstract
In the framework of active galactic nuclei (AGNs), a galaxy’s supermassive black hole is surrounded by a dusty torus whose clumpy configuration allows for either direct or obscured views toward the central engine. Viewing AGNs from different angles gives rise to a variety of AGN classifications; for example, the generic Type 1 AGN class requires the detection of optically broad emission lines, which arise from quickly moving material within the torus, whereas Type 2 AGNs lack these observations. While these viewing angles are not directly observable, synthetic torus models generated with CLUMPY provide a means to determine them along with other parameters that describe the nature and characteristics of the torus in general. Employing CLUMPY models with mid-infrared spectroscopic observations of a large sample of both Type 1 and Type 2 AGNs allows us to acquire a further understanding of the clumpy torus structure and its viewing angles.
Recommended Citation
Thompson, Grant David, "DECIPHERING THE ARRANGEMENT OF DUST IN THE CLUMPY TORI OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI" (2012). Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy. 4.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/physastron_etds/4
