Open AccessA generic scattering model for AGN
Author(s) -
Young S.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
monthly notices of the royal astronomical society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.058
H-Index - 383
eISSN - 1365-2966
pISSN - 0035-8711
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-8711.2000.03177.x
Subject(s) - physics , polarization (electrochemistry) , scattering , astrophysics , active galactic nucleus , galaxy , computational physics , optics , chemistry
I present a development of the scattering model of Young et al. that can reproduce the velocity resolved polarization of the scattered broad lines, along with the continuum polarization of AGN. Two possible emission models are presented, namely a rotating disc and a radially expanding shell of emission. Using known, or expected, scattering regions present in AGN it is possible to reproduce the polarization observed to be present in type 1 and type 2 active galaxies. The use of the model is illustrated by its application of the spectropolarimetric observations of the Seyfert 1 galaxy, Mrk 509. By a simple alteration of the incident flux upon the scattering regions it is shown that the time variable polarization in this object can be reproduced.