SIR Earth and Space Science Investigation Abstract
DEVELOPING A SCIENTIFIC MODEL: THE HISTORY OF ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI
Presenter:
Christopher Trigg, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506
Advisor:
Dr. Robert Brazzle, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506
Abstract:
Active Galactic Nuclei are found in only 7% of all galaxies, but are objects commonly studied by modern astrophysicists. Like any object in nature, our understanding of them comes from information collected over a long period of time. This Inquiry looked at the history of the AGN model, from its very beginnings in the early 1930’s with the creation of radio astronomy, to the newest discoveries on variability in energy emissions. Research was conducted at IMSA and Chicago’s Adler Planetarium. The result is a history of the AGN model which shows such things as the progression of information on AGNs' location and orientation in the sky, the misconception of some scientists that some AGN were actually stars and how this was overcome by considering the sources’ redshift, and the need for better information regarding the power sources of AGN. Together, the progression of information, misconceptions and they ways they were overcome, and unanswered questions about AGN show the interesting process that goes into forming what is currently understood about such celestial objects.