quasars and galactic nuclei, a half-century story: or the invasion of massive black holes

20
QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI, QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI, A HALF-CENTURY STORY: A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black or the invasion of Massive Black Holes Holes Suzy Collin Suzy Collin Observatoire de Paris- Observatoire de Paris- Meudon Meudon

Upload: nau

Post on 13-Jan-2016

33 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI, A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes. Suzy Collin Observatoire de Paris-Meudon. RESEARCH IS NOT A “LONG QUIET RIVER”. THIS PARTICULAR STORY IS FULL OF:. - fruitless observations opening on unexpected discoveries,. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI, QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI, A HALF-CENTURY STORY:A HALF-CENTURY STORY:

or the invasion of Massive Black Holesor the invasion of Massive Black Holes

Suzy CollinSuzy Collin

Observatoire de Paris-MeudonObservatoire de Paris-Meudon

Page 2: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

- wrong arguments for good conclusions, and the opposite…- wrong arguments for good conclusions, and the opposite…

BUT BUT

the thousands of papers and nights of the largest telescopesthe thousands of papers and nights of the largest telescopes

finally opened on a coherent physical model finally opened on a coherent physical model and on a new vision of galaxy evolutionand on a new vision of galaxy evolution

RESEARCH IS NOT A “LONG QUIET RIVER”.RESEARCH IS NOT A “LONG QUIET RIVER”.THIS PARTICULAR STORY IS FULL OF:THIS PARTICULAR STORY IS FULL OF:

- fruitless observations opening on unexpected discoveries,- fruitless observations opening on unexpected discoveries,

- come-back of premonitory ideas which were first neglected,- come-back of premonitory ideas which were first neglected,

- temporary very fashionable but wrong models,- temporary very fashionable but wrong models,

- passionate controversies,- passionate controversies,

- misinterpretations responsible for twenty years of stagnation,- misinterpretations responsible for twenty years of stagnation,

Page 3: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

C. Seyfert (1943) published a paper entitled C. Seyfert (1943) published a paper entitled

« Nuclear emission in spiral nebulae » « Nuclear emission in spiral nebulae »

where he studied 6 galaxies withwhere he studied 6 galaxies with

a bright blue nucleusa bright blue nucleus and and broad emission linesbroad emission lines (up to 8500km/s) (up to 8500km/s)

Identification of Cyg A and M87Identification of Cyg A and M87 (Baade & Minkowski, 1954)(Baade & Minkowski, 1954)

NOBODY CAREDNOBODY CAREDNOBODY CAREDNOBODY CARED

Burbidge (1959) realized thatBurbidge (1959) realized that

an enormous energy an enormous energy is released in these radiogalaxies is released in these radiogalaxies

~ 10 ~ 10 60-62 60-62 ergs = cergs = c22 x x 10106-8 6-8 MMoo

THE FORTIESTHE FORTIES

THE FIFTIES: BIRTH OF RADI0ASTRONOMYTHE FIFTIES: BIRTH OF RADI0ASTRONOMY

Theory of synchrotron radiation (Ginzburg, 1951)Theory of synchrotron radiation (Ginzburg, 1951)

Page 4: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

1959: BEGINNING OF A CONTROVERSY1959: BEGINNING OF A CONTROVERSYWoltjer, ApJ 130, p38Woltjer, ApJ 130, p38

The gas emitting the lines in Seyfert galaxies in general should be The gas emitting the lines in Seyfert galaxies in general should be gravitationally confined by a dense core of about 10gravitationally confined by a dense core of about 1099 Mo Mo

BurbidgeBurbidge22 & Prendergast ApJ 130, p26: & Prendergast ApJ 130, p26:

The gas emitting the lines in the Seyfert galaxy NGC1068 should be The gas emitting the lines in the Seyfert galaxy NGC1068 should be ejected from the nucleusejected from the nucleus

Woltjer was right on wrong argumentsWoltjer was right on wrong argumentsWoltjer was right on wrong argumentsWoltjer was right on wrong arguments

(but excusable at this time):(but excusable at this time): he overestimated the mass of gas, and concluded he overestimated the mass of gas, and concluded that if the gas is escaping, the nucleus would be emptied very rapidlythat if the gas is escaping, the nucleus would be emptied very rapidly

B2P were right only for NGC 1068, not for other Seyfert galaxiesB2P were right only for NGC 1068, not for other Seyfert galaxiesB2P were right only for NGC 1068, not for other Seyfert galaxiesB2P were right only for NGC 1068, not for other Seyfert galaxies

In THIS (S2) galaxy, the gas emitting the lines is partly outflowingIn THIS (S2) galaxy, the gas emitting the lines is partly outflowing

Page 5: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

3C273 3C273 unambiguouslyunambiguously identified by moon occultation (Hazard 1962): identified by moon occultation (Hazard 1962):it is also a blue star with unknown emission lines!it is also a blue star with unknown emission lines!

breakthrough on Feb 5, 1963 (Schmidt): breakthrough on Feb 5, 1963 (Schmidt): it is the Balmer spectrum with a « shift towards the red » of 0.16it is the Balmer spectrum with a « shift towards the red » of 0.16

Identification of the 3C catalogue:Identification of the 3C catalogue:

3C48 is a « blue star » with intense broad but 3C48 is a « blue star » with intense broad but unknownunknown emission emission lines in its spectrum (Matthews et al, AAS, Dec1960)lines in its spectrum (Matthews et al, AAS, Dec1960)

UNPUBLISHEDUNPUBLISHEDUNPUBLISHEDUNPUBLISHED

DISCOVERY OF QUASARSDISCOVERY OF QUASARS

BUT SUBJECT NOT DISCUSSED IN THE IAU GA XII IN 1964BUT SUBJECT NOT DISCUSSED IN THE IAU GA XII IN 1964BUT SUBJECT NOT DISCUSSED IN THE IAU GA XII IN 1964BUT SUBJECT NOT DISCUSSED IN THE IAU GA XII IN 1964

Note the chance: 3C273 is very luminous, and it has a small shiftNote the chance: 3C273 is very luminous, and it has a small shift

immediately similar discovery in 3C48 and 2 other objectsimmediately similar discovery in 3C48 and 2 other objects first Texas symposia, several schools, books…first Texas symposia, several schools, books…

Page 6: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

1965: THE FIRST PROBLEMS APPEARED1965: THE FIRST PROBLEMS APPEARED

Harvard catalogue: 3C273 is a variable star (time scale of a week)Harvard catalogue: 3C273 is a variable star (time scale of a week)

Dent (1965): the associated radiosource is variable within a yearDent (1965): the associated radiosource is variable within a year

Size << 1pcSize << 1pcSize << 1pcSize << 1pc

Greenstein and Schmidt, 1964: Greenstein and Schmidt, 1964:

discuss the origin of redshift and eliminate a gravitational origin discuss the origin of redshift and eliminate a gravitational origin (because the width of the lines should be of the order of the shift)(because the width of the lines should be of the order of the shift)

3C48 and 3C273 are « Quasi Stellar Objects » (quasars)3C48 and 3C273 are « Quasi Stellar Objects » (quasars)

at cosmological distancesat cosmological distances corresponding to z=0.45 and 0.16 corresponding to z=0.45 and 0.16

they are very luminousthey are very luminous (=1000 galaxies) (=1000 galaxies)they are very luminousthey are very luminous (=1000 galaxies) (=1000 galaxies)

BEGINNING OF THE REDSHIFT CONTROVERSYBEGINNING OF THE REDSHIFT CONTROVERSY

Page 7: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

Many mechanisms were invoked:Many mechanisms were invoked:

Chain reaction of SN, dense star cluster, “galactic flares”, stellar Chain reaction of SN, dense star cluster, “galactic flares”, stellar collisions, collisions, supermassive starssupermassive stars

WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF SUCH A BIG ENERGYWHAT IS THE SOURCE OF SUCH A BIG ENERGYIN SUCH A SMALL VOLUME?IN SUCH A SMALL VOLUME?

but in 1964: independently Salpeter and Zeldovich proposedbut in 1964: independently Salpeter and Zeldovich proposed

Energy produced by accretion onto a supermassive black hole, Energy produced by accretion onto a supermassive black hole,

via turbulent transport of angular momentumvia turbulent transport of angular momentum

NOBODY CAREDNOBODY CAREDNOBODY CAREDNOBODY CARED

except Lynden-Bell (1969): except Lynden-Bell (1969): “Galactic Nuclei as Collapsed Old Quasars”

except Lynden-Bell (1969): except Lynden-Bell (1969): “Galactic Nuclei as Collapsed Old Quasars”

Page 8: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

1970, VATICAN MEETING ON GALACTIC NUCLEI1970, VATICAN MEETING ON GALACTIC NUCLEILyndenBell : accretion on a MBH as the driving energy process. LyndenBell : accretion on a MBH as the driving energy process.

PEOPLE DID NOT CAREPEOPLE DID NOT CAREPEOPLE DID NOT CAREPEOPLE DID NOT CARE

Cherchez la femme…Cherchez la femme…

Page 9: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

my thesis about Seyfert galaxies:(1965-1968)

- broad lines (all permitted) are - broad lines (all permitted) are emitted by a dense and small emitted by a dense and small region (BLR), contrary to narrow region (BLR), contrary to narrow forbidden lines (NLR) which are forbidden lines (NLR) which are emitted by a dilute and remote emitted by a dilute and remote region; it can solve the Woltjer-region; it can solve the Woltjer-Burbidge discord.Burbidge discord.

- ionizing mechanism: hard UV - ionizing mechanism: hard UV and X photonsand X photons

- the broad lines must vary in short - the broad lines must vary in short

time scale; and indeed time scale; and indeed This was not believed until the end of seventies; after, there were This was not believed until the end of seventies; after, there were intensive monitoring of 35 AGN, leading to an unexpected relation intensive monitoring of 35 AGN, leading to an unexpected relation

R(BLR)/L, thus to M(BH), valid for ALL objects.R(BLR)/L, thus to M(BH), valid for ALL objects.

Andrillat & Andrillat & Souffrin, 1968Souffrin, 1968

Page 10: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

Hope: build a Hubble diagram Mag/z for quasars and deduce Hope: build a Hubble diagram Mag/z for quasars and deduce the cosmological parametersthe cosmological parameters

GREAT COSMOLOGICAL EXPECTATIONSGREAT COSMOLOGICAL EXPECTATIONS, GREAT DISAPPOINTMENTS,GREAT DISAPPOINTMENTS,AND GREAT DISCOVERIESAND GREAT DISCOVERIES

IMPOSSIBLE! IMPOSSIBLE!

strong cosmological evolution of quasars (Schmidt, 1967)strong cosmological evolution of quasars (Schmidt, 1967)

Hope: measure the quantity of HI in the IGM by a LHope: measure the quantity of HI in the IGM by a L continuum continuum

(M. Burbidge, Gunn-Peterson)(M. Burbidge, Gunn-Peterson)

IMPOSSIBLE! IMPOSSIBLE!

Hydrogen is absent or completely ionizedHydrogen is absent or completely ionized

BUT DISCOVERY OF ABSORPTION LINES BUT DISCOVERY OF ABSORPTION LINES

(Burbidge(Burbidge22, Lynds, 1966), Lynds, 1966)opened a new era for cosmological studiesopened a new era for cosmological studies

Page 11: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

““COMPTON CATASTROPHY” COMPTON CATASTROPHY” (Hoyle, Burbidge & Sandage 1966):(Hoyle, Burbidge & Sandage 1966):

(SSC mechanism should suppress rapidly the radio emission)(SSC mechanism should suppress rapidly the radio emission) It does not occur if the redshifts are not cosmologicalIt does not occur if the redshifts are not cosmological

THE “REDSHIFT CONTROVERSY”THE “REDSHIFT CONTROVERSY”

PARADOX SOLVED :PARADOX SOLVED :by relativistic expansionby relativistic expansion

(Rees, 1967)(Rees, 1967)

Rees predicted also that Rees predicted also that “an object moving relativistically in “an object moving relativistically in suitable directions may appear to a distant observer to have a suitable directions may appear to a distant observer to have a

transverse velocity much greater than the velocity of light"transverse velocity much greater than the velocity of light"

AND INDEED, A FEW YEARS LATER…AND INDEED, A FEW YEARS LATER…AND INDEED, A FEW YEARS LATER…AND INDEED, A FEW YEARS LATER…

Page 12: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

(discovered by VLBI in 1970)(discovered by VLBI in 1970)

big discussions (ex Texas meeting 1972):big discussions (ex Texas meeting 1972): phase velocity (christmas tree…), tachions, etc… phase velocity (christmas tree…), tachions, etc…

FINALLY IT IS DUE SIMPLY TO FINITE LIGHT VELOCITYFINALLY IT IS DUE SIMPLY TO FINITE LIGHT VELOCITY

3C2733C273

of course, it is not a problem if the redshifts are not cosmologicalof course, it is not a problem if the redshifts are not cosmological

1977197719791979 19801980

SUPERLUMINIC VELOCITIESSUPERLUMINIC VELOCITIES

Page 13: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

NGC 6251, 1978NGC 6251, 1978

DEFINITIVE CONFIRMATION THAT JETS AND RADIO-LOBESDEFINITIVE CONFIRMATION THAT JETS AND RADIO-LOBESARE EJECTED FROM GALACTIC NUCLEIARE EJECTED FROM GALACTIC NUCLEI

AT RELATIVISTIC VELOCITIESAT RELATIVISTIC VELOCITIES

1 million AL1 million AL

1 AL1 AL

100000 AL100000 AL

Page 14: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

FOR SUPPORTERS OF NON-COSMOLOGICAL REDSHIFTS

(Arp, Burbidge, Hoyle, Narlikar…)Arp, Burbidge, Hoyle, Narlikar…)

- Quasars are ejected by local AGN (cf. couples of discrepant - Quasars are ejected by local AGN (cf. couples of discrepant redshifts, like NGC4319 and Mrk205)redshifts, like NGC4319 and Mrk205)

BUT NOW WE KNOW THATBUT NOW WE KNOW THATquasars are nuclei of galaxyquasars are nuclei of galaxy

and the redshift of the host galaxies are measured up to z=2and the redshift of the host galaxies are measured up to z=2

big controversies until the end of the seventies big controversies until the end of the seventies (cf. Copenhagen meeting in 1977)(cf. Copenhagen meeting in 1977)

-Redshifts are “anomalous”, due to an unknown physical lawRedshifts are “anomalous”, due to an unknown physical law

- Narrow absorption lines in quasars are due to relativistic gas - Narrow absorption lines in quasars are due to relativistic gas ejected from quasars and not to intervening intergalactic matterejected from quasars and not to intervening intergalactic matter

Page 15: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes
Page 16: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

““Flow chart” of M. Rees, 1977Flow chart” of M. Rees, 1977

Page 17: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

Response of astronomers to a fashionable new idea

R. McCrea, 1977R. McCrea, 1977

Page 18: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

- Because other theories failed somewhere- Because other theories failed somewhere

A BIG MISTAKE WAS MADE DURING 15 YEARSA BIG MISTAKE WAS MADE DURING 15 YEARSA BIG MISTAKE WAS MADE DURING 15 YEARSA BIG MISTAKE WAS MADE DURING 15 YEARS

THE WHOLE FIR TO X-RAY CONTINUUM WAS ATTRIBUTEDTHE WHOLE FIR TO X-RAY CONTINUUM WAS ATTRIBUTED

TO THE SYNCHROTRON MECHANISMTO THE SYNCHROTRON MECHANISM

(about a power law, and because of radio-source prejudices)(about a power law, and because of radio-source prejudices)

- Because of the discovery of stellar BHs (like Cygnus X1)- Because of the discovery of stellar BHs (like Cygnus X1)

- Because very rapid and powerful variations were observed in - Because very rapid and powerful variations were observed in some objects, some objects, but it was due to relativistic boostingbut it was due to relativistic boosting!!

BUT AT LEAST A GOOD ONEBUT AT LEAST A GOOD ONE

FINALLY, THE MBH WON, BUTFINALLY, THE MBH WON, BUT MAINLY FOR BAD REASONS MAINLY FOR BAD REASONS

Page 19: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

LOG LOG FF

““Blue Bump” due to Blue Bump” due to the accretion diskthe accretion disk

SHIELDS (1978) : THE OPT-UV CONTINUUM IN 3C273 IS SHIELDS (1978) : THE OPT-UV CONTINUUM IN 3C273 IS EMITTED BY AN ACCRETION DISK AROUND THE BHEMITTED BY AN ACCRETION DISK AROUND THE BH

FINALLY THE WHOLE CONTINUUM IS ENTIRELY THERMAL IN FINALLY THE WHOLE CONTINUUM IS ENTIRELY THERMAL IN RQ QUASARS (AND PARTLY THERMAL IN RL QUASARS), RQ QUASARS (AND PARTLY THERMAL IN RL QUASARS),

AND IT IS PRODUCED BY THE ACCRETION FLOWAND IT IS PRODUCED BY THE ACCRETION FLOW

Page 20: QUASARS AND GALACTIC NUCLEI,  A HALF-CENTURY STORY: or the invasion of Massive Black Holes

The eighties: The eighties: - era of MBHs and accretion disks; - era of MBHs and accretion disks; - the Unified Scheme.- the Unified Scheme.

The nineties: The nineties: - jets and accretion disks unveiled by their X and - jets and accretion disks unveiled by their X and rays; rays; - dominance of obscured AGN; - dominance of obscured AGN; - the three driving parameters of AGN (M, dotM, i); - the three driving parameters of AGN (M, dotM, i); - omnipresence of MBHs in quiescent galaxies. - omnipresence of MBHs in quiescent galaxies.

The millenium: The millenium: - masses of MBHs, - masses of MBHs, - evolution of galaxies and MBHs. - evolution of galaxies and MBHs.

AND AFTER…

BUT STILL SOME IMPORTANT UNSOLVED PROBLEMSBUT STILL SOME IMPORTANT UNSOLVED PROBLEMSBUT STILL SOME IMPORTANT UNSOLVED PROBLEMSBUT STILL SOME IMPORTANT UNSOLVED PROBLEMS

- Dichotomy of RQ and RL objects (elliptical versus spiral):- Dichotomy of RQ and RL objects (elliptical versus spiral):Merger and spinning binary BHs?Merger and spinning binary BHs?

- How are formed very massive BHs at very high redshifts?How are formed very massive BHs at very high redshifts?- How are matter and angular momentum transported at the How are matter and angular momentum transported at the

parsec scale?parsec scale?

etc…etc…etc…etc…