| Description |
Determining the bolometric luminosities of AGN is key to understandingtheir evolution. Uncertainties in the total radiation fromAGN translate into uncertainties in their lifetimes, Eddington ratios,mass accretion rates, the form of their radiation, and thepredicted black hole spin. However, we still have major problemsin measuring this critical quantity. AGN and their host galaxiesemit a large fraction of their light in the MIR to FIR, but the originof this radiation and the connection to the AGN are not well understood.It is not clear whether this radiation is associated with theAGN or with star formation in the galaxy.We propose to use Herschels unique capabilities to establish theproperties of the Swift-BAT all sky sample of local AGN selected at15-195 keV. We will measure the MIR to FIR (65-500 microns) propertiesof a complete low-redshift sample (309 objects at z<0.05).The Swift-BAT survey is the least biased all sky surveyfor AGN with respect to host galaxy properties and obscuration in theline-of-sight, and thus it is superior to optical, IR, or radio surveysfor understanding the the nuclear component of the MIR to FIRradiation from active galaxies. The low redshift of our sample, theuniformity of selection, and the large amount of parallel data whichhave already been obtained (Spitzer, optical, and X-ray spectra, and opticaland UV imaging) will allow the most precise determination of the physicalorigin (AGN versus star formation) of the light.The low redshifts allow the best possible angular resolution forspatially separating star-formation and nuclear components, while onlyrequiring short Herschel exposures.The Herschel BAT survey will provide a comprehensive database fordetermining the bolometric light of AGN and will be an invaluablereference sample for analyzing higher redshift AGN. It willbe a powerful resource for many years to come. Wewill make it available in a comprehensive and accessible form asrapidly as possible. |
