An X-ray view of quasars
Abstract
I present an overview of observational studies of quasars of all types, with particular emphasis on X-ray observational studies. The presentation is based on the most popularly accepted unified picture of quasars - collectively referred to as AGN (active galactic nuclei) in this review. Characteristics of X-ray spectra and X-ray variability obtained from various X-ray satellites over the last 5 decades have been presented and discussed. The contribution of AGN in understanding the cosmic X-ray background is discussed very briefly. Attempt has been made to provide up-to-date information; however, this is a vast subject and this presentation is not intended to be comprehensive.
- Publication:
-
Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India
- Pub Date:
- June 2013
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.1310.0270
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1310.0270
- Bibcode:
- 2013BASI...41..137S
- Keywords:
-
- quasars: general;
- galaxies: active;
- galaxies: nuclei;
- galaxies: Seyfert;
- X-rays: galaxies;
- X-rays: diffuse background;
- Astrophysics - Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- E-Print:
- Accepted for publication in the Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India (22 pages, 6 figures)