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Title:
Penrose pair production as a power source of quasars and active galactic nuclei
Authors:
Kafatos, M.; Leiter, D.
Affiliation:
AA(NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Laboratory for Astronomy and Solar Physics, Greenbelt, Md.; George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.), AB(George Mason University, Fairfax, Va.)
Publication:
Astrophysical Journal, Part 1, vol. 229, Apr. 1, 1979, p. 46-52. (ApJ Homepage)
Publication Date:
04/1979
Category:
Astrophysics
Origin:
STI
NASA/STI Keywords:
ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI, BLACK HOLES (ASTRONOMY), PAIR PRODUCTION, QUASARS, ASTRONOMICAL MODELS, CANONICAL FORMS, LUMINOUS INTENSITY, SPACE-TIME FUNCTIONS
Comment:
A&AA ID. AAA025.066.071
DOI:
10.1086/156928
Bibliographic Code:
1979ApJ...229...46K

Abstract

Penrose pair production in massive canonical Kerr black holes (those with a/M equal to 0.998) is proposed as a way to explain the nature of the vast fluctuating energy production associated with active galactic nuclei and quasars. It is assumed that a Kerr black hole with a mass of the order of 100 million solar masses lies at the center of an active nucleus and that an accretion disk is formed. Penrose pair production in the inner ergosphere of such a massive canonical Kerr black hole is analyzed. The results indicate that: (1) particle pairs are ejected within a 40 deg angle relative to the equator; (2) the particle energy is of the order of 1 GeV per pair; (3) the pressure of the electron-positron relativistic gas is proportional to the electron-positron number density; (4) pair production may occur in bursts; and (5) the overall lifetime of an active nucleus would depend on the time required to exhaust the disk of its matter content. A test of the theory is suggested which involves observation of the 0.5-MeV pair-annihilation gamma rays that would be generated by annihilating particle pairs.

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