Universe  ID: 10698

NASA's Swift Finds 'Missing' Active Galaxies

Released on January 20, 2011
Most large galaxies contain a giant central black hole. In an active galaxy, matter falling toward the supermassive black hole powers high-energy emissions so intense that two classes of active galaxies, quasars and blazars, rank as the most luminous objects in the universe. Thick clouds of dust and gas near the central black hole screens out ultraviolet, optical and low-energy (or soft) X-ray light. Although there are many different types of active galaxy, astronomers explain the different observed properties based on how the galaxy angles into our line of sight. We view the brightest ones nearly face on, but as the angle increases, the surrounding ring of gas and dust absorbs increasing amounts of the black hole's emissions.
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Short, narrated video.

For complete transcript, click here.

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What we see from an active galaxy's black hole depends on our viewing angle. Seen edge-on, the dense clouds of dust and gas around the central black hole prevent all but the most penetrating radiation to reach us. Artist's interpretation.
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View of AGN with center visible
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View of AGN with center occluded by edge
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A newfound population of heavily absorbed active galaxies (orange curve) is thought to make the greatest contribution to the cosmic X-ray background (light blue). Both have similar spectral shapes and peak at similar energies. Adding in the known contributions from less-absorbed active galaxies (yellow and purple), appears to fully account for the background.
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A newfound population of heavily absorbed active galaxies (orange curve) is thought to make the greatest contribution to the cosmic X-ray background (light blue). Both have similar spectral shapes and peak at similar energies. Adding in the known contributions from less-absorbed active galaxies (yellow and purple), appears to fully account for the background. No Labels
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Narrated animation describing active galaxies.

Credit: NASA/Sonoma State Univ./Dana Berry (Skyworks Digital)

 

Related

Black Hole 'Batteries' Keep Blazars Going and Going
The Cloudy Cores of Active Galaxies

For More Information

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/swift/bursts/active-galactic-nucleus.html

Credits

Scott Wiessinger (UMBC): Lead Animator
Francis Reddy (University of Maryland College Park): Lead Science Writer
Michael McClare (HTSI): Animator
Donna Cox (AVL NCSA/University of Illinois): Animator
Chris Smith (HTSI): Animator
Scott Wiessinger (UMBC): Video Editor
Scott Wiessinger (UMBC): Narrator
Scott Wiessinger (UMBC): Producer
Marco Ajello (SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory): Scientist
Davide Burlon (Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics): Scientist
Francis Reddy (University of Maryland College Park): Graphics
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center. However, each image should be credited as indicated above.

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https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/10698

Mission:
Swift

Data Used:
Swift
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This item is part of these series:
Narrated Movies
Goddard Shorts
Astrophysics Animations
Astrophysics Stills
Astrophysics Features

Goddard TV Tape:
G2011-009 -- Swift Survey Finds 'Missing' Active Galaxies

Keywords:
SVS >> Galaxy
SVS >> HDTV
SVS >> Satellite
DLESE >> Space science
SVS >> X-ray
SVS >> Black Hole
SVS >> Active Galaxy
SVS >> Quasar
SVS >> Astrophysics
SVS >> Universe
SVS >> Edited Feature
SVS >> Swift
DLESE >> Narrated
SVS >> Blazar
SVS >> Active Galactic Nucleus
NASA Science >> Universe