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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:uky.edu/oai:uknowledge.uky.edu:physastron_etds-1003 |
| Date | 01 January 2012 |
| Creators | Thompson, Grant David |
| Publisher | UKnowledge |
| Source Sets | University of Kentucky |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy |
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