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Session 104 - Radio Galaxies, Radio Observations of AGN Jets & Outflows.
Display session, Saturday, January 10
Exhibit Hall,

[104.13] Evidence for Relativistic Outflows in Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

K. M. Leighly (Columbia University), R. F. Mushotzky, K. Nandra (NASA/GSFC)

We report the observation of features near 1 keV in the ASCA spectra from three ``Narrow Line Seyfert 1'' (NLS1) galaxies. We interpret these as oxygen absorption in a highly relativistic outflow. If interpreted as absorption edges, the implied velocities are 0.2--0.3 c, near the limit predicted by ``line-locking'' radiative acceleration. If instead interpreted as broad absorption lines, the implied velocities are \sim0.57 c, interestingly near the velocity of particles in the last stable orbit around a Kerr black hole, although a physical interpretation of this is not obvious. Interpretation in the context of a relativistic wind is supported by the fact that narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies share many optical emission-line and broad band properties with broad absorption line quasars. Many of these objects show strong or extreme Fe II and weak [O III] emission, have red continuum spectra and relatively strong infrared emission, and both classes are predominately radio quiet.


The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: leighly@ulisse.phys.columbia.edu

Program listing for Saturday