Searching for the hidden broad-line region in Centaurus A

Authors
Alexander, DM Hough, JH Young, S Bailey, JA Heisler, CA Lumsden, SL Robinson, A
Citation
Dm. Alexander et al., Searching for the hidden broad-line region in Centaurus A, M NOT R AST, 303(2), 1999, pp. L17-L22
Citations number
46
Categorie Soggetti
Space Sciences
Journal title
MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
ISSN journal
00358711 → ACNP
Volume
303
Issue
2
Year of publication
1999
Pages
L17 - L22
Database
ISI
SICI code
0035-8711(19990221)303:2<L17:SFTHBR>2.0.ZU;2-C
Abstract
We present the first near-infrared (K-band) spectropolarimetric observation s of the nuclear region of Centaurus A. Although the data are of high signa l-to-noise ratio, polarized broad Br gamma is not detected and we place a 3 sigma upper limit of 3.9 x 10(-15) erg s(-1) cm(-2) in polarized flux. We find a correlation between the K-band nuclear continuum and broad H alpha l ine luminosity and estimate the strength of broad Br gamma based on a numbe r of possible models.