Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Probing The Fitting Accuracy Of Active Galaxy Spectra, Aaron T. Line

Physics

Prior to this study, Dr. Vardha N. Bennert and collaborators selected a sample of ~100 local active galaxies to study the relationships between black hole mass and host galaxy properties. The broad Hβ width is necessary to determine black hole mass. This value is determined using a spectral decomposition code was scripted in IDL by Dr. Daeseong Park. The script fit spectral features and collected data for properties such as width of emission lines and continuum contribution percentages. The results were logged for further analysis.

To probe the accuracy of the fitting process, artificial spectra were created and fitted to …

Determining The Relationship Between The [Oiii] 5007 Å Emission Line Profile And The Stellar Velocity Dispersion In Active Galaxies, Nathaniel Milgram

Physics

The empirical relation between the stellar velocity dispersion (SVD) of the bulge and the mass of the central supermassive black hole (BH) suggests a link between host galaxy and BH evolution. For active galactic nuclei (AGNs), the BH mass (MBH) can be estimated in a straightforward way from the Doppler broadening of the broad emission lines using the so-called virial method. However, the powerful AGN continuum emission often outshines the underlying stellar absorption lines, making it difficult to measure SVD of the host galaxy. Thus, the MBH - SVD relation is difficult to establish for galaxies containing AGNs. As a …

Determining Stellar Velocity Dispersion In Active Galaxies: Is The [Oiii] Width A Valid Surrogate?, Kelsi Flatland

Physics

The tight empirical relation between the stellar velocity dispersion (sigma) of the bulge and the mass of the supermassive black hole (BH) at its center indicates a close connection between galactic evolution and BH growth. The evolution of this relation with cosmic time provides valuable clues to its origin. While the mass of the BH can be easily estimated using the Doppler broadening of the Hbeta emission line in type I active galactic nuclei (AGNs), measuring sigma simultaneously is challenging, since the nuclear emission outshines the host galaxy. Thus, it is highly desirable to find an alternative way to estimate …

Analysis Of The Blazar 1es1218+30.4, Timothy Wolf

Physics

I analyzed the Blazar 1ES1218+30.4 in the high energy spectrum with VERITAS telescope data. The analysis used improved the energy spectrum obtained for the blazar from a maximum of 2.49 TeV to 3.85 TeV. The flux for this point is greater than the previous fit equation predicts, indicating a possible shoulder in the EBL, or Extragalactic Background Light.