Credit: Steven Burrows/Jason DexterResearchers analyzed emission data from quasar 3C 273 utilizing 2 theoretical designs, exposing intricacies in comprehending quasar behavior and the mechanics of supermassive black holes.In a new paper in The Astrophysical Journal, JILA Fellow Jason Dexter, graduate student Kirk Long, and other collaborators compared 2 primary theoretical designs for emission data for a specific quasar, 3C 273. Astrophysicists use numerous designs to their information to take a look at the mechanisms triggering the one emission peak.Cloud and Disk-Wind Model AnalysisTo better understand the data variations, Dexter and Long looked at the two primary theoretical designs proposed as possible underlying mechanisms: the cloud and disk-wind designs. “I think, while we disfavored the disk-wind model based on our results, the only factor we can disfavor it for quasar 3C 273 is not that it really fits the data that much even worse– it really fits the information about as well as the cloud design– its that it needs you to be looking at the disk in a different way than the way you would be looking at the clouds,” Long explained.By fitting the disk-wind model to the information, Long and Dexter had to reorient their view of 3C 273 and look at it sideways.
Credit: Steven Burrows/Jason DexterResearchers examined emission information from quasar 3C 273 utilizing two theoretical models, exposing complexities in comprehending quasar behavior and the mechanics of supermassive black holes.In a brand-new paper in The Astrophysical Journal, JILA Fellow Jason Dexter, graduate trainee Kirk Long, and other collaborators compared 2 main theoretical models for emission information for a particular quasar, 3C 273. Astrophysicists apply various designs to their data to examine the mechanisms causing the one emission peak.Cloud and Disk-Wind Model AnalysisTo much better understand the information variations, Dexter and Long looked at the two main theoretical models proposed as possible underlying mechanisms: the cloud and disk-wind designs. To describe this difference, several astrophysicists theorize that the atomic gases have actually puffed up, causing a change in the emission spectra.To address the disparity between the one and two peak emissions, other astrophysicists proposed a different design called the disk-wind design.” Comparing Models and DataUsing the University of Colorado Boulders supercomputing system, Dexter and Long applied the disk-wind design to the quasar 3C 273 information set to see how well it fit. “I think, while we disfavored the disk-wind design based on our outcomes, the only factor we can disfavor it for quasar 3C 273 is not that it in fact fits the data that much even worse– it actually fits the data about as well as the cloud design– its that it needs you to be looking at the disk in a various way than the way you would be looking at the clouds,” Long explained.By fitting the disk-wind model to the information, Long and Dexter had to reorient their view of 3C 273 and look at it sideways.
