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Active Galactic Nuclei
In studies of active galactic nuclei, supermassive black holes have been identified as the source of their enormous energy output. SIM Lite will investigate the source of the optical emission - accretion disks that surround the core or the relativistic jets that propagate away from them. Questions of stability of the separation of radio and optical emission coming from the centers of AGN and quasars affect reference frame ties. SIM Lite will peer into the hearts of galactic nuclei, probing to within light-days of the massive black holes at their centers, shedding new light on this mystery (A. Wehrle, K. Johnston; SIM book Chapters 11 and 12).
Recent reports are listed below, along with the originally accepted key projects.
Researchers inspired to see what SIM light can do on their own selection of targets can use the SIM Lite Time and Performance Estimator (TaPE) now to explore the performance of SIM Lite.
SIM Book (PDF) Chapters 11-12, 2009 February.
Quasars and AGNs, 2010 March.
Key Projects
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Binary Black Holes, Accretion Disks and Relativistic Jets: Photocenters of Nearby Active Galactic Nuclei and Quasars
A study of possible motions and changes in active galactic nuclei and quasars. The data will provide new and unique insight into the physical processes in these sources.
Dr. Ann E. Wehrle
California Institute of Technology
Co-Investigators
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 Summary
Full proposal (PDF) SIM book Theme IV |
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Astrophysics of Reference Frame Tie Objects
This program will obtain the data required to determine the motion of the Milky Way relative to extremely distant extra-galactic sources.
Dr. Kenneth J. Johnston
U.S. Naval Observatory
Co-Investigators
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| Summary Full proposal (PDF) SIM book Theme IV |
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