paper

Formation of Large-Scale Obscuring Wall and AGN Evolution Regulated by Circumnuclear Starbursts

arXiv:astro-ph/9906226 · doi:10.1086/312181

Abstract

By considering the radiative force by a circumnuclear starburst as well as an AGN, we analyze the equilibrium configuration and the stability of dusty gas in the circumnuclear regions. It is found that the radiative force by an intensive starburst can support a stable gaseous wall with a scale-height of several hundred parsecs. Moreover, by taking the simple stellar evolution in the starburst into account, we find that the covering factor of the wall decreases on a time-scale of several yr. The large-scale wall, if formed, works to obscure the nucleus due to the dust opacity. Hence, it is anticipated that the index of AGN type tends to shift from higher to lower in several yr according as the circumnuclear starburst becomes dimmer. On the other hand, if the AGN itself is brighter than the circumnuclear starburst (e.g. quasar case), no stable large-scale wall forms. In that case, the AGN is highly probably identified as type 1. The present mechanism may provide a physical explanation for the putative correlation between AGN type and host properties that Sy2's are more frequently associated with circumnuclear starbursts than Sy1's, whereas quasars are mostly observed as type 1 regardless of star-forming activity in the host galaxies.

10 pages, 3 figures, ApJ Letters in press

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