In:
The Astrophysical Journal, American Astronomical Society, Vol. 907, No. 2 ( 2021-02-01), p. 76-
Abstract:
In this contribution, we achieve the primary goal of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) STORM campaign by recovering velocity–delay maps for the prominent broad emission lines (Ly α , C iv , He ii , and H β ) in the spectrum of NGC 5548. These are the most detailed velocity–delay maps ever obtained for an AGN, providing unprecedented information on the geometry, ionization structure, and kinematics of the broad-line region. Virial envelopes enclosing the emission-line responses show that the reverberating gas is bound to the black hole. A stratified ionization structure is evident. The He ii response inside 5–10 lt-day has a broad single-peaked velocity profile. The Ly α , C iv , and H β responses extend from inside 2 to outside 20 lt-day, with double peaks at ±2500 km s −1 in the 10–20 lt-day delay range. An incomplete ellipse in the velocity–delay plane is evident in H β . We interpret the maps in terms of a Keplerian disk with a well-defined outer rim at R = 20 lt-day. The far-side response is weaker than that from the near side. The line-center delay τ = ( R / c ) ( 1 − sin i ) ≈ 5 days gives the inclination i ≈ 45°. The inferred black hole mass is M BH ≈ 7 × 10 7 M ⊙ . In addition to reverberations, the fit residuals confirm that emission-line fluxes are depressed during the “BLR Holiday” identified in previous work. Moreover, a helical “Barber-Pole” pattern, with stripes moving from red to blue across the C iv and Ly α line profiles, suggests azimuthal structure rotating with a 2 yr period that may represent precession or orbital motion of inner-disk structures casting shadows on the emission-line region farther out.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0004-637X
,
1538-4357
DOI:
10.3847/1538-4357/abce60
Language:
Unknown
Publisher:
American Astronomical Society
Publication Date:
2021
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2207648-7
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1473835-1
SSG:
16,12
