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Infrared spectra of obscuring dust tori around active galactic nuclei. I - Calculational method and basic trendsUsing a new 2D radiative transfer algorithm, we have calculated the thermally reradiated infrared spectra of the compact dust tori which are thought to surround many AGN. These tori radiate anisotropically. Face-on tori may be from one-half to a few orders of magnitude brighter than edge-on tori throughout the infrared. Their spectra at nearly all viewing angles are basically 'bumps' which are about 50 percent wider than blackbodies and peak in the mid-infrared at a wavelength determined mainly by the flux of nuclear radiation on the inner edge of the torus. The infrared color temperatures are hotter for face-on tori than edge-on tori by about 100 K. The 10 micron silicate feature often associated with dust can appear in absorption, emission, or not at all. There is a rough tendency for absorption features to be more prominent for edge-on tori than for face-on tori.
Document ID
19930035772
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Pier, Edward A.
(NASA Headquarters Washington, DC United States)
Krolik, Julian H.
(Johns Hopkins Univ. Baltimore, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
December 10, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 1
Volume: 401
Issue: 1
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Accession Number
93A19769
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-2803
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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