AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE GEOMETRY OF SEYFERT-GALAXIES

We present a new method for the statistical investigation into the dis tributions of the angle beta between the radio axis and the normal to the galactic disk for a sample of Seyfert galaxies. We discuss how fur ther observations of the sample galaxies can strengthen the conclusion s. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that active galactic nu clei (ACNs) jets are oriented randomly in space, independent of the po sition of the plane of the galaxy. By making the simple assumption tha t the standard model of AGNs holds, with a universal opening angle of the thick torus of phi(c), we demonstrate a statistical method to obta in an estimate of phi(c). Our data are not consistent with the simple- minded idea that Seyfert 1s and Seyfert 2s are differentiated solely b y whether or not our line of sight lies within some fixed angle of the jet axis. Our result is significant on the 2 sigma level and can thus be considered only suggestive, not conclusive. A complete sample of S eyfert galaxies selected on an isotropic property is required to obtai n a conclusive result.