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| Paper: |
VSOP-2 Observations of Accretion Disks in Active Galactic Nuclei: A Proposal for a Key Science Program |
| Volume: |
402, Approaching Micro-Arcsecond Resolution with VSOP-2: Astrophysics and Technologies |
| Page: |
284 |
| Authors: |
Doi, A.; VSOP-2 Science Working Group |
| Abstract: |
We report the advantages and potentials of VSOP-2 observations for research on accretion disks, and a polished plan based on this studies may be proposed as one of the Key Science Programs of VSOP-2 mission in the category of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN). A radiative inefficient accretion flow, a possible model of accretion disks on low-luminosity AGNs, predicts electron temperatures of about 109 K at radii within several tens of Schwarzschild radius. The region should be optically thick at the observing frequencies of VSOP-2. Hence, the shape of accretion disks could be imaged with the sensitivity and angular resolutions of VSOP-2 for some nearby low-luminosity AGNs. We show a list of target candidates in terms of their apparent Schwarzschild radius and radio properties. A pre-launch ground-based survey would be needed in order to determine the priority order, which will be useful for preparing an effective VSOP-2 observation plan. |
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