Structure and kinematics of AGN: The interplay between accretion disk, broad line regionand dust torus

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Rolf Chini
• Subject Area: Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Term: from 2016 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 322114349

The four astronomical institutes in Bochum, Göttingen, Haifa and Tel-Aviv collaborate in a DFG-funded project to explore the internal structure of Seyfert galaxies and quasars using the reverberation-mapping technique. The echo-mapping data secured so far exceed the expectations: they allow to determine the transition between the outer accretion disk and the inner broad-line region, to verify the putative bowl-shaped geometry of the broad-line region and the inner dust torus, and to study cosmologically relevant bias-effects for quasars and Seyfert galaxies. Apart from performing new observations we also improved data-analysis algorithms and theoretical models, which are necessary for the physical interpretation of the data. To complete the successfully ongoing observational aspects of the program, and physically interpret the large amount of data collected, we ask for an extension of the DFG support by two years. New far-reaching implications for quasar physics - especially for the geometry and kinematics of the central region, as well as the interplay between accretion disk, broad-line region and dust-torus - are guaranteed and will be published during the extension of the project.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Chile, Israel, Poland, Spain, USA
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Bozena Czerny; Professor Dr. Klaus Hodapp; Professor Dr. Dan Maoz; Professor Dr. Miguel Murphy; Michael Parker, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Grzegorz Pietrzynski; Dr. Norbert Schartel; Dr. Belinda Wilkes
• International Co-Applicants: Professor Doron Chelouche, Ph.D.; Shai Kaspi, Ph.D.