Probing the Central Engine of Active Galactic Nuclei

该计划将探索活动星系核的内部结构，其目标是(a)测量中心黑洞的质量，(b)确定宽发射线区域的结构和运动学。提出的主要活动是：(1)混响制图研究，旨在恢复几个明亮的Seyfert 1星系中宽线区域的高保真速度延迟图；(2)继续进行光谱和成像观测，以校准基于混响的黑洞质量尺度。这将有助于更好地确定活动星系核中的黑洞质量，并有助于理解星系凸起中黑洞质量与恒星速度色散之间的关系。这项工作的更广泛影响包括培养研究生和博士后，与当地科学博物馆合作，教师培训和公开演讲。

This program will explore the very inner structure of active galactic nuclei with the goals of (a) measuring the masses of the central black holes and (b) determining the structure and kinematics of the broad emission-line region. The main activities proposed are (1) reverberation-mapping studies that are designed to recover high fidelity velocity-delay maps of the broad-line region in several bright Seyfert 1 galaxies, and (2) continuing spectroscopic and imaging observations to calibrate the reverberation-based black hole mass scale. This will lead to a better determination of black hole masses in active galactic nuclei and will aid in understanding the relation between black hole masses and stellar velocity dispersions in galaxy bulges. Broader impacts of the work include training of graduate students and a postdoc, work with a local science museum, teacher training, and public talks.