Program/Event
Arts and Research Showcase 2025
Abstract
IRAS 1239 is a narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy discovered with the ROSAT All-Sky survey. It is interesting because it shows very high polarization, but very little cold X-ray absorption, potentially revealing more insight into the classification of Seyfert galaxies. An Active Galactic Nucleus, or AGN, is an accreting black hole at the center of a galaxy. Galaxies containing these AGNs are known as active galaxies. There are several different types of active galaxies, including Seyfert galaxies. These are a common galaxy type, making up around 10% of galaxies. They are classified by having strong emission lines and detectable host galaxies. There are several subtypes of Seyfert galaxies, separated by the presence of broad line regions. However, the question has arisen as to whether all of these subtypes are truly different, or if they are simply obscured. As mentioned, IRAS 1239 is a narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxy, but several of its qualities, especially the high polarization, suggest potential dust blocking our line of sight. To investigate, we have taken data from the Swift, XMM-Newton, and NuSTAR missions and compared them with several potential models.
Recommended Citation
Connelly, Bryn and Grupe, Dirk PhD
(2025)
"High Polarization in Narrow Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy IRAS 1239.7+3333,"
The Cardinal Edge: Vol. 3:
Iss.
2, Article 17.
Available at:
https://ir.library.louisville.edu/tce/vol3/iss2/17