Active galactic nuclei- the physics of individual sources and the cosmic history of formation and evolution  

作　　者：Henric Krawczynski Ezequiel Wreister 

机构地区：[1]Physics Department, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA [2]Departamento de Astronomia, Universidad de Coneepcion, Casilla 160-C, Concepcion, Chile

出　　处：《Frontiers of physics》2013年第6期609-629,共21页物理学前沿（英文版）

摘　　要：In this paper we give a brief review of the astrophysics of active galactic nuclei （AGNs）. After a general introduction motivating the study of AGNs, we discuss our present understanding of the inner workings of the central engines, most likely accreting black holes with masses between 106 and 10^10M. We highlight recent results concerning the jets （collimated outflows） of AGNs derived from X-ray observations （Chandra） of kpc-scale jets and ~/-ray observations of AGNs （Fermi, Cherenkov telescopes） with jets closely aligned with the lines of sight （blazars）, and discuss tile interpretation of these observations. Subsequently, we summarize our knowledge about the cosmic history of AGN formation and evolution. We conclude with a description of upcoming observational opportunities.In this paper we give a brief review of the astrophysics of active galactic nuclei （AGNs）. After a general introduction motivating the study of AGNs, we discuss our present understanding of the inner workings of the central engines, most likely accreting black holes with masses between 106 and 10^10M. We highlight recent results concerning the jets （collimated outflows） of AGNs derived from X-ray observations （Chandra） of kpc-scale jets and ~/-ray observations of AGNs （Fermi, Cherenkov telescopes） with jets closely aligned with the lines of sight （blazars）, and discuss tile interpretation of these observations. Subsequently, we summarize our knowledge about the cosmic history of AGN formation and evolution. We conclude with a description of upcoming observational opportunities.

关 键 词：active galactic nuclei （AGNs） black hole accretion relativistic jets cosmological evolution 

分 类 号：P157.6[天文地球—天文学] P14