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G. Lodato, J. E. Pringle (IoA, Cambridge, UK)
In this contribution, I discuss the dynamics of misaligned accretion discs and spinning black holes in Active Galactic Nuclei, by using a nself-consistent time-dependent approach, that allows to properly track the evolution of the spin of the black hole during the alignment process. I show that, contrary to previous beliefs, the disc angular momentum and the black hole spin can end up counter-aligned, in such a way that accretion proceeds through retrograde orbits. I will discuss the implications that this counter-aligned mode of accretion has on observables from AGNs, such as the shape of X-ray iron lines, the shape of jets, and the possibility of obscuration of the central engine. I will also discuss, more in general, the effects of the alignment (or counter-alignment) process on the spin history of super-massive black holes.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 37 #4
© 2005. The American Astronomical Soceity.