Search arXiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/arXiv

arXiv · 2203.16846

Active Galactic Nuclei and their demography through cosmic time

Stefano Bianchi·Vincenzo Mainieri·Paolo Padovani
View original source ↗Read source document ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are highly energetic astrophysical sources powered by accretion onto supermassive black holes in galaxies, which present unique observational signatures covering the full electromagnetic spectrum (and more) over about twenty orders of magnitude in frequency. We first review the main AGN properties and diversities and show that they can be explained by a small number of parameters. We then discuss the so-called Unification Models for non-jetted AGN, according to which these sources are believed to have the same nuclear engine and circumnuclear matter, with the same geometry for the obscuring structure. This simplified scenario, however, cannot explain all the observed complexities, such as the presence of multiple absorbers on different physical scales, including recent X-ray observations of circumnuclear matter. Finally, we touch upon AGN evolution in the X-ray and $γ$-ray bands.

Explore related subjects

astro-ph.HEastro-ph.GA

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Stefano Bianchi, Vincenzo Mainieri, Paolo Padovani. 2022-03-31. Active Galactic Nuclei and their demography through cosmic time. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-4544-0_113-1

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

arXiv2026

Deciphering the Physical Origin of GRB 240825A: A Long GRB Lacking a Bright Supernova

We present a comprehensive multiwavelength analysis of GRB 240825A, a bright gamma-ray burst (GRB) detected by Fermi and Swift, with a prompt duration ($T_{\rm 90}$ $\sim$ 4 sec in 50-300 keV in GBM) near the boundary separating short and long GRBs, prompting a detailed investigation into its classification and progenitor. We use classical prompt metrics (duration, minimum variability timescale (MVT), lag, and spectral hardness) and modern classification techniques (machine-learning (ML) based t-SNE, support vector machine, energy-hardness-duration, and $\varepsilon \equiv E_{γ,\mathrm{iso},52} / E_{p,z,2}^{5/3}$) and find most properties (prompt energetics, placement on the Amati relation, and spectral lag) of GRB 240825A consistent with a collapsar origin. However, extensive late-time optical and NIR follow-up with the 10.4m GTC and 8.4m binocular LBT telescopes reveals no bright supernova (like SN 1998bw) is detected down to stringent limits (e.g., $m_r > 25.0$ mag at 17.59 days), despite a redshift of $z = 0.659$ measured from GTC spectroscopy. Host galaxy SED modeling with Prospector indicates a massive, and star-forming galaxy-typical of collapsar GRB hosts, though with a large offset. We compare these findings with hybrid events like GRB 211211A, GRB 230307A, GRB 200826A, including SNe-GRBs, and conclude that GRB 240825A most likely originated from a massive star collapse, possibly with the associated SN heavily obscured or intrinsically faint. This study emphasizes the need for multiwavelength follow-up and a multi-layered classification to determine GRB progenitors.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2026

The impact of flickering variability and magnetisation on the dynamics, stability and morphology of radio-loud AGN jets

The physics governing the morphology of radio-loud AGN jets is not fully understood. We investigate how magnetization, flickering jet power and their interplay affects the morphology of radio galaxies. We present a grid of relativistic magnetohydrodynamic simulations using the PLUTO code covering constant and variable jets with two levels of magnetisation. We find that the constant high magnetisation jets can lead to highly asymmetrical cocoon morphologies, whilst the variable high magnetisation jet can exhibit a broken morphology, caused by a discontinuous jet beam. Our work highlights the importance of magnetisation and variability on the stability and resulting morphology of radio-loud AGN jets, suggesting both are significant factors in addition to jet power or environment. Furthermore, we show that the interaction between magnetisation and variability can lead to the development of localised kink instabilities along the jet beam. Finally, we discuss the effects of hydrodynamic mixing in low magnetisation jets and the role of viewing angle dependence in comparisons between our simulations and observed sources. To facilitate this comparison we present a library of simulated radio images at different times in the simulations and from various viewing angles, which highlight a diverse set of complex morphologies.

astro-ph.HE↗
arXiv2026

Magnetic Eruption and Nucleosynthesis in GRνMHD Simulations of Spinning Neutron Star Mergers

We present three-dimensional general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics simulations of equal-mass binary neutron star mergers with varied neutron star spin configurations and second-moment neutrino transport, following the formation and early evolution of long-lived remnants. We compare a fiducial irrotational binary with binaries having spins that are aligned or antialigned with the orbital angular momentum, and examime how spin affects the merger dynamics, magnetic field evolution, outflows, and nucleosynthesis. Compared to the fiducial case, the aligned spin configuration releases more cold, neutron-rich tidal ejecta in the equatorial plane, which enables the development of a more tightly collimated polar outflow erupting from the remnant and inner accretion disk. Conversely, the case with spins antialigned with the orbit experiences a more violent collision at merger, disrupting magnetic amplification, loading the environment with debris, and impeding the propagation of magnetically driven winds. Strong neutrino reprocessing of the polar outflow in the irrotational and aligned spin cases produces $2.4\times 10^{-3}\,M_\odot$ of proton-rich ($Y_e \geq 0.49$) material, resulting in the synthesis of light r-process elements, whose subsequent decay potentially sends a unique electromagnetic signal from long-lived remnants. However, the outflows remain too dense and slow to be consistent with typical short gamma-ray bursts.

astro-ph.HE↗