Table of Contents

PrefaceGuide for Readers1What Are Active Galactic Nuclei? And Why Does Anyone Care?32How to Find AGNs223Evolution424Global Energetics and Black Holes685Black Hole Physics906Spherical Accretion1207Accretion Disks and the Optical/Ultraviolet Continuum1358X-ray and [gamma]-ray Emission1969Radio Emission and Jets25610Emission Lines30911Intrinsic Absorption and Outflows39912Anisotropic Appearance and Unification of Disparate AGN Varieties42413Properties of AGN Host Galaxies46414Onset and Fueling49415Where We Stand530App. ABasic General Relativity533App. BBasic Magnetohydrodynamics537App. CShocks and Other Discontinuities542App. DLuminosity Functions and Other Population Statistics552App. EThe Tensor Viral Theorem559App. FKinematics in an Expanding Universe566References573Index589

Promotional Information

Julian Krolik, himself a substantial contributor to high-energy astrophysics, has written an impressive book that will be welcomed by researchers in the field... It fills a notable gap in the existing literature. -- Martin Rees, Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge I read this book with great interest and joy. It covers the whole subject of active galactic nuclei in depth. -- Marek Abramowicz, Goteborg University, Sweden

About the Author

Julian H. Krolik is Professor of Physics and Astronomy at The Johns Hopkins University. He has written widely on theoretical astrophysics, specializing in active galactic nuclei.

Reviews

Winner of the 1999 Award for Best Professional/Scholarly Book in Physics and Astronomy, Association of American Publishers "Krolik treats almost every aspect of the AGN phenomenon, ... This global survey of AGN physics makes Krolik's book the most useful in the field for years... [A] valuable reference for anybody interested in the physics of these cosmic powerhouses."--Chris Reynolds, Nature "A broad and thorough review of the standard model for AGN, including observational information and theoretical modeling. It will provide graduate and advanced undergraduate students with an excellent introduction to the field."--Ruth A. Daly, Physics Today