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Quasar Evolution and the Growth of Black Holes in the Nuclei of Active Galaxies

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2017

R. D. Blandford*
Affiliation:
Theoretical Astrophysics 130-33, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125

Abstract

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The observed evolutionary behavior of active galactic nuclei is compatible with a model in which black holes form in the nuclei of new-born galaxies and then grow at a rate limited by both radiation pressure and the supply of gas. Individual sources become more luminous with time as long as they are being fueled. However, the rapid decrease in the mean rate of supply of gas causes a strong decline in the space density of active objects. Nearby galaxies should harbor modest size (∼ 106 – 108 M) black holes. It is suggested that the gas that fuels high redshift quasars is mostly derived from the host galaxy.

Type
Part 4: Black Holes, Accretion Disks and Gravitational Lenses
Copyright
Copyright © Kluwer 1989 

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