An Investigation into the Geometry of Seyfert Galaxies

We present a new method for the statistical investigation into the distributions of the angle β between the radio axis and the normal to the galactic disk for a sample of Seyfert galaxies. We discuss how further observations of the sample galaxies can strengthen the conclusions. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that active galactic nuclei (AGNs) jets are oriented randomly in space, independent of the position of the plane of the galaxy. By making the simple assumption that the standard model of AGNs holds, with a universal opening angle of the thick torus of φ_c, we demonstrate a statistical method to obtain an estimate of φ_c. Our data are not consistent with the simple-minded idea that Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s are differentiated solely by whether or not our line of sight lies within some fixed angle of the jet axis. Our result is significant on the 2 σ level and can thus be considered only suggestive, not conclusive. A complete sample of Seyfert galaxies selected on an isotropic property is required to obtain a conclusive result.