An Introduction to Active Galactic Nuclei

The first comprehensive graduate-level textbook on one of the most dynamic areas of contemporary astronomy - the study of 'active galactic nuclei'.

Bradley M. Peterson (Author)

9780521479110, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 13 February 1997

256 pages, 60 b/w illus. 12 tables
24.5 x 19 x 1.5 cm, 0.472 kg

'Brad Peterson is a well known and prolific research scientist working on AGN … he has written an excellent introductory text for students and fellow researchers alike … This is an excellent textbook. Well written, well produced, and, in paperback … reasonably priced. Highly recommended for undergraduates and research students, and for those who want to know what all that telescope time is being used for.' Paul O'Brien, The Observatory

How can we test if a supermassive black hole lies at the heart of every active galactic nucleus? What are LINERS, BL Lacs, N galaxies, broad-line radio galaxies and radio-quiet quasars and how do they compare? This timely textbook answers these questions in a clear, comprehensive and self-contained introduction to active galactic nuclei - for graduate students in astronomy and physics. The study of AGN is one of the most dynamic areas of contemporary astronomy, involving one fifth of all research astronomers. This textbook provides a systematic review of the observed properties of AGN across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, examines the underlying physics, and shows how the brightest AGN, quasars, can be used to probe the farthest reaches of the Universe. This book serves as both an entry point to the research literature and as a valuable reference for researchers in the field.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. Basic properties and a brief historical perspective
2. Taxonomy of active galactic nuclei
3. The black hole paradigm
4. Continuum emission
5. The broad-line region
6. The narrow-line region
7. Unified models of AGNs
8. The environment of AGNs
9. The geometry of the expanding universe
10. Quasar surveys
11. The quasar luminosity function and evolution
12. Quasar absorption lines
References
Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Astrophysics [PHVB]