Unified Schemes for Radio-Loud Active Galactic Nuclei

Unified Schemes for Radio-Loud Active Galactic Nuclei

September 1995 | C. Megan Urry and Paolo Padovani
This review discusses the unification of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN), which includes radio galaxies, quasars, and blazars. The appearance of AGN is strongly influenced by orientation, leading to classification schemes based on random pointing directions rather than physical properties. Light from AGN centers is often obscured by optically thick material, particularly at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths. In radio-loud AGN, bipolar jets emit relativistically beamed radiation along their axes. Understanding radiation anisotropies helps unify different AGN classes. The review outlines two unification schemes: one linking high-luminosity sources (quasars and luminous radio galaxies) and one linking low-luminosity sources (BL Lac objects and less luminous radio galaxies). Using relativistic beaming, the population statistics of these schemes align with available data. The review suggests that low- and high-luminosity radio-loud AGN are likely powered by similar physical processes, at least within the relativistic jet. Potential difficulties with unification are discussed, but none are considered serious. Realistic physical considerations suggest complications for unified schemes, which will be important to consider with more comprehensive data. The review concludes with ten pressing questions in the field. Key points include the role of obscuration and relativistic beaming in AGN appearance, the distinction between FR I and FR II radio galaxies, and the statistical unification of AGN classes. The review emphasizes the importance of orientation effects and the need for further study to refine unification models.This review discusses the unification of radio-loud active galactic nuclei (AGN), which includes radio galaxies, quasars, and blazars. The appearance of AGN is strongly influenced by orientation, leading to classification schemes based on random pointing directions rather than physical properties. Light from AGN centers is often obscured by optically thick material, particularly at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths. In radio-loud AGN, bipolar jets emit relativistically beamed radiation along their axes. Understanding radiation anisotropies helps unify different AGN classes. The review outlines two unification schemes: one linking high-luminosity sources (quasars and luminous radio galaxies) and one linking low-luminosity sources (BL Lac objects and less luminous radio galaxies). Using relativistic beaming, the population statistics of these schemes align with available data. The review suggests that low- and high-luminosity radio-loud AGN are likely powered by similar physical processes, at least within the relativistic jet. Potential difficulties with unification are discussed, but none are considered serious. Realistic physical considerations suggest complications for unified schemes, which will be important to consider with more comprehensive data. The review concludes with ten pressing questions in the field. Key points include the role of obscuration and relativistic beaming in AGN appearance, the distinction between FR I and FR II radio galaxies, and the statistical unification of AGN classes. The review emphasizes the importance of orientation effects and the need for further study to refine unification models.
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