Spectropolarimetry and the nature of NGC 1068.
Abstract
Extensive high-resolution, high SNR polarization spectra of the nucleus of NGC 1068 are presented. The polarized flux plot reveals the presence of very highly polarized, very broad symmetric Balmer lines and also permitted Fe II. This plot closely resembles the flux spectra of Seyfert type I nuclei. The broad lines are redshifted about 600 km/s relative to the narrow lines. This line emission indicates that both polarizations are due to scattering, probably by free electrons which must be cooler than a million K. A model is suggested in which the continuum source and broad line clouds are located inside a thick disk, with electrons above and below the disk scattering continuum and broad-line photons into the line of sight. All of the narrow lines, including the narrow Balmer lines, have similar low polarizations, unrelated to that of the continuum.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1086/163559
- Bibcode:
- 1985ApJ...297..621A
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Polarimetry;
- Seyfert Galaxies;
- Balmer Series;
- Circular Polarization;
- Emission Spectra;
- Iron;
- Line Spectra;
- Oxygen;
- Astrophysics