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Session 52 - First Results from the Infrared Space Observatory.
Oral session, Wednesday, June 12
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[52.10] Exploring The Full Range of Quasar/AGN Properties

B. J. Wilkes, K. K. McLeod, M. Elvis, J. McDowell (SAO), C. Lonsdale (IPAC), M. Malkan (UCLA), C. Impey (U of A)

Over the past 10 years studies of the spectral energy distributions of quasars have become possible and our understanding of the energy generation mechanisms at work has greatly increased. However a key area in which little advance has been made is the far infrared (IR) where data exist only for the lowest redshift and reddest quasars and over a limited range in wavelength.

With ISO we are able, for the first time, to study the far-IR emission of a large and representative sample of quasars, over a wider energy range and with a range in redshift. Our program will obtain photometry with ISOPHOT between 5 and 200 \mum for \sim 130 quasars and active galaxies having a wide variety of properties. Our sample includes subsets which are X-ray, optically and IR selected objects and covers a full range of redshift. We will compare and contrast the strength and character of the far-IR continuum as a function of quasar type, redshift and luminosity and address questions such as: the relative importance of thermal and non-thermal emission; and the relation between IR, X-ray and optical emission as well as placing constraints upon the emitting regions via detailed modelling. We will present our preliminary results based upon observations obtained during the first few months of the ISO observing program.

Program listing for Wednesday