Different Velocity Dependences of Physical Conditions of High- and Low-Ionization Lines in Broad-Line Regions

Authors

Stephanie A. Snedden, Apache Point Observatory / New Mexico State University, Sunspot, NMFollow
C. Martin Gaskell, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

3-8-2004

Comments

Published in arXiv:astro-ph/0403174 v1 8 Mar 2004. Copyright the American Astronomical Society. Used by permission.

Abstract

We present results from a study of high- and low-ionization emission line ratios as a function of projected velocity for a sample of eight active galactic nuclei (AGNs). Our results are based on analysis of high signal-to-noise optical and Hubble Space Telescope (HST) UV spectra. Comparing the emission line ratios to those predicted by photoionization models indicates that the physical conditions responsible for the high-ionization emission lines are consistent with a wind, whereas those of the low-ionization lines are consistent with a virialized disk.