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M.S. Brotherton, R.F. Green (NOAO/KPNO), G.A. Kriss (STScI/JHU), T. Alexander (Weizmann Institute of Science), J. Kim (STScI), W. Zheng, M.E. Kaiser (JHU), W. Oegerle (NASA/GSFC), J. Hutchings (HIA/NRC Canada)
The spectral energy distributions of AGNs contain a significant contribution in the optical/ultraviolet, the so-called ``Big Blue Bump," thought to be emitted by an accretion disk feeding a supermassive black hole. We have compiled a sample of nearly 20 AGNs, with quasi-simultaneous spectrophotometry from 900-9000Å, using FUSE, HST, and KPNO. Of particular interest in this data set is the short-wavelength coverage, which includes the Lyman limit in these redshifted AGNs. We have used recently developed methods to estimate the black hole mass and accretion rate, and have explored how these properties affect the appearence of the Big Blue Bump emission. We compare these results to theoretical expectations.
This work is based on data obtained for the Guaranteed Time Team by the NASA-CNES-CSA FUSE mission operated by the Johns Hopkins University. Financial support to U. S. participants has been provided by NASA contract NAS5-32985.
The author(s) of this abstract have provided an email address for comments about the abstract: mbrother@noao.edu