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Precursor active galaxies and the cosmic X-ray backgroundConsideration is given to Carr's theory (1980) that most cosmic X-ray background is produced by thermal X-ray emission associated with black hole accretion disks for compact objects. It is posited that the onset of significant X-rays occurs during galaxy formation when accretion disks are formed by the interaction of young galaxies and massive black holes of pregalactic origin. The study suggests that most cosmic X-ray background could be produced from distant sources with a low ratio of optical to X-ray luminosity. Precursor active galaxy objects involving a massive black hole surrounded by a hot optically thin accretion disk radiating near the Eddington luminosity limit and with an effective temperature of about 2 x 10 to the 9th K would fulfill the condition and produce the correct background spectrum and intensity. This model also associates cosmic X-ray background and nonthermal gamma-ray background to active galaxies, thus implying that massive black holes are associated with their internal dynamics.
Document ID
19810047666
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Boldt, E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Leiter, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Laboratory for High Energy Astrophysics, Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
April 9, 1981
Publication Information
Publication: Nature
Volume: 290
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Accession Number
81A32070
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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