Active Galactic Nuclei: From the Central Black Hole to the Galactic Environment

by Julian H. Krolik

Overview

This is the first comprehensive treatment of active galactic nuclei—the cosmic powerhouses at the core of many distant galaxies. The term active galactic nuclei refers to quasars, radio galaxies, Seyfert galaxies, blazars, and related objects, all of which are believed to share a similar central engine—a supermassive black hole many times the mass of the Sun. Astrophysicists have studied these phenomena for the past several decades and have begun to develop a consensus about many of their properties and internal mechanisms. Julian Krolik, one of the world's leading authorities on the subject, sums up leading ideas from across the entire range of research, making this book an invaluable resource for astronomers, physicists interested in applications of the theory of gravitation, and graduate students.


Krolik begins by addressing basic questions about active galactic nuclei: What are they? How can they be found? How do they evolve? He assesses the evidence for massive black holes and considers how they generate power by accretion. He discusses X-ray and g-ray emission, radio emission and jets, emission and absorption lines, anisotropic appearance, and the relationship between an active nucleus and its host galaxy. He explores the mysteries of what ignites, fuels, and extinguishes active galactic nuclei, and concludes with a general review of where the field now stands. The book is unique in paying careful attention to relevant physics as well as astronomy, reflecting in part the importance of general relativity to understanding active galactic nuclei. Clear, authoritative, and detailed, this is crucial reading for anyone interested in one of the most dynamic areas of astrophysics today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691011516
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	01/10/1999
Series:	Princeton Series in Astrophysics , #59
Pages:	632
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Julian H. Krolik is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at The Johns Hopkins University. He has written widely on theoretical astrophysics, specializing in active galactic nuclei.

Table of Contents

Preface
Guide for Readers
1	What Are Active Galactic Nuclei? And Why Does Anyone Care?	3
2	How to Find AGNs	22
3	Evolution	42
4	Global Energetics and Black Holes	68
5	Black Hole Physics	90
6	Spherical Accretion	120
7	Accretion Disks and the Optical/Ultraviolet Continuum	135
8	X-ray and [gamma]-ray Emission	196
9	Radio Emission and Jets	256
10	Emission Lines	309
11	Intrinsic Absorption and Outflows	399
12	Anisotropic Appearance and Unification of Disparate AGN Varieties	424
13	Properties of AGN Host Galaxies	464
14	Onset and Fueling	494
15	Where We Stand	530
App. A	Basic General Relativity	533
App. B	Basic Magnetohydrodynamics	537
App. C	Shocks and Other Discontinuities	542
App. D	Luminosity Functions and Other Population Statistics	552
App. E	The Tensor Viral Theorem	559
App. F	Kinematics in an Expanding Universe	566
References	573
Index	589

What People are Saying About This

Marek Abramowicz

I read this book with great interest and joy. It covers the whole subject of active galactic nuclei in depth.
— Marek Abramowicz, Goteborg University, Sweden

From the Publisher

"Julian Krolik, himself a substantial contributor to high-energy astrophysics, has written an impressive book that will be welcomed by researchers in the field. . . . It fills a notable gap in the existing literature."—Martin Rees, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge

"I read this book with great interest and joy. It covers the whole subject of active galactic nuclei in depth."—Marek Abramowicz, Göteborg University, Sweden

Martin Rees

Julian Krolik, himself a substantial contributor to high-energy astrophysics, has written an impressive book that will be welcomed by researchers in the field. . . . It fills a notable gap in the existing literature.
— Martin Rees, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge

Editorial Reviews

A broad and thorough review of the standard model for AGN, including observational information and theoretical modeling. It will provide graduate and advanced undergraduate students with an excellent introduction to the field.

Physics Today - Ruth A. Daly

Krolik treats almost every aspect of the AGN phenomenon, . . . . This global survey of AGN physics makes Krolik's book the most useful in the field for years. . . . [A] valuable reference for anybody interested in the physics of these cosmic powerhouses.

Nature - Chris Reynolds

A broad and thorough review of the standard model for AGN, including observational information and theoretical modeling. It will provide graduate and advanced undergraduate students with an excellent introduction to the field.
— Ruth A. Daly

Physics Today

Krolik treats almost every aspect of the AGN phenomenon, . . . . This global survey of AGN physics makes Krolik's book the most useful in the field for years. . . . [A] valuable reference for anybody interested in the physics of these cosmic powerhouses.
— Chris Reynolds

Nature

What should anyone care about active galactic nuclei? After answering that AGNs are among the most spectacular celestial objects and play a major role in studying the evolution of the universe, the author elucidates such topics as: their most salient properties, how to find them, black hole physics, accretion disks, emissions, properties of AGN host galaxies, and accomplishments and knowledge gaps in the field. Appends material on a basic general relativity, basic magnetohydrodynamics, discontinuities, population statistics, the tensor virial theorem, and kinematics in an expanding universe. Outlines three audience tracks: a one-semester course for second-year astrophysics graduate students, the phenomenologist, and the physicist. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Winner of the 1999 Award for Best Professional/Scholarly Book in Physics and Astronomy, Association of American Publishers

"Krolik treats almost every aspect of the AGN phenomenon, . . . . This global survey of AGN physics makes Krolik's book the most useful in the field for years. . . . [A] valuable reference for anybody interested in the physics of these cosmic powerhouses."—-Chris Reynolds, Nature

"A broad and thorough review of the standard model for AGN, including observational information and theoretical modeling. It will provide graduate and advanced undergraduate students with an excellent introduction to the field."—-Ruth A. Daly, Physics Today

From the Publisher