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Black Hole Models of Quasars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 July 2016

R. D. Blandford*
Affiliation:
Theoretical Astrophysics, 130-33 Caltech, Pasadena CA 91125, U.S.A.

Abstract

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Observations of active galactic nuclei are interpreted in terms of a theoretical model involving accretion onto a massive black hole. Optical quasars and Seyfert galaxies are associated with holes accreting near the Eddington rate and radio galaxies with sub-critical accretion. It is argued that magnetic fields are largely responsible for extracting energy and angular momentum from black holes and disks. Recent studies of electron-positron pair plasmas and their possible role in establishing the emergent X-ray spectrum are reviewed. The main evolutionary properties of active galactic nuclei can be interpreted in terms of a simple model in which black holes accrete gas at a rate dictated by the rate of gas supply which decreases with cosmic time. It may be worth searching for eclipsing binary black holes in lower power Seyferts.

Type
IV. Prime Movers, Models and Mechanisms
Copyright
Copyright © Reidel 1986 

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