AGN and Viewing Angle

Abstract:



In the framework of active galactic nuclei (AGN), a galaxy's supermassive black hole is surrounded

by a dusty torus whose clumpy configuration allows for either direct or obscured views toward the

central engine.  Viewing AGN from different angles gives rise to a variety of AGN classifications;

for example, the generic Type 1 AGN class requires the detection of optically broad emission lines

which arise from quickly moving material within the torus, whereas Type 2 AGN lack these observations.

While these viewing angles are not directly observable, synthetic torus models generated with CLUMPY

provide a means to determine them along with other parameters that describe the nature and

characteristics of the torus in general.  Employing CLUMPY models with MIR spectroscopic observations

of a large sample of both Type 1 and Type 2 AGN allows us to acquire not only a conclusive determination

of torus viewing angles but also a further understanding of the clumpy torus structure.