Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure model
Validating our understanding of the innermost structure of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) would require resolving sub-parsec scales. Lacking adequate direct imaging, X-ray astronomy can still contribute to this undertaking through the study of spectral variability on time-scales from days to years. Th...
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2012-12-01
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Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20123906003 |
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doaj-453edbc25df742deb542e3a77abf2a512021-08-02T17:36:49ZengEDP SciencesEPJ Web of Conferences2100-014X2012-12-01390600310.1051/epjconf/20123906003Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure modelGuainazzi M.Validating our understanding of the innermost structure of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) would require resolving sub-parsec scales. Lacking adequate direct imaging, X-ray astronomy can still contribute to this undertaking through the study of spectral variability on time-scales from days to years. This bears information on the location of gaseous and dusty systems in the innermost regions around the accreting supermassive black hole. In this paper I discuss the application of this concept in two specific contexts: a) “fast” column density variations in heavily obscured AGN; b) reverberation of optically-thick reprocessing. These results lend support to a scenario where obscuration and optically thick reprocessing are due to a variety of different systems, ranging from the Broad Line Regions to a clumpy structure extended on larger scales up to hundreds of parsecs. http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20123906003 |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Guainazzi M. |
spellingShingle |
Guainazzi M. Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure model EPJ Web of Conferences |
author_facet |
Guainazzi M. |
author_sort |
Guainazzi M. |
title |
Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure model |
title_short |
Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure model |
title_full |
Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure model |
title_fullStr |
Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure model |
title_full_unstemmed |
Variability: A X-ray ruler for the AGN structure model |
title_sort |
variability: a x-ray ruler for the agn structure model |
publisher |
EDP Sciences |
series |
EPJ Web of Conferences |
issn |
2100-014X |
publishDate |
2012-12-01 |
description |
Validating our understanding of the innermost structure of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) would require resolving sub-parsec scales. Lacking adequate direct imaging, X-ray astronomy can still contribute to this undertaking through the study of spectral variability on time-scales from days to years. This bears information on the location of gaseous and dusty systems in the innermost regions around the accreting supermassive black hole. In this paper I discuss the application of this concept in two specific contexts: a) “fast” column density variations in heavily obscured AGN; b) reverberation of optically-thick reprocessing. These results lend support to a scenario where obscuration and optically thick reprocessing are due to a variety of different systems, ranging from the Broad Line Regions to a clumpy structure extended on larger scales up to hundreds of parsecs. |
url |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/20123906003 |
work_keys_str_mv |
AT guainazzim variabilityaxrayrulerfortheagnstructuremodel |
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1721228990334631936 |