Low-Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei

Abstract

I review the basic properties of low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs) — objects in which activity similar to, but intrinsically milder than, that in QSOs and luminous Seyferts is believed to be present. Until recently, most LLAGNs were first recognized as such and studied at optical wavelengths, but evidence for activity and valuable information concerning its nature are now also being obtained in many other spectral ranges. Low-ionization nuclear emission-line regions (LINERs) are the most common LLAGNs; in a large fraction of them the emission lines come from clouds of gas probably photoionized by a nonstellar continuum, rather than heated by shocks. It is also clear, however, that there could be substantial heterogeneity among LINERs, particularly those with extended emission; some may be produced by cooling flows, supernova-driven winds, and galaxy interactions or mergers. LLAGNs can easily be hidden from sight in a variety of ways, including obscuration by galactic or circumnuclear disks and dilution by bursts of star formation. Direct imaging, spectroscopy, and spectropolarimetry can be used to isolate the different components, especially with high spatial and/or spectral resolution. A surprising result is that Seyfert nuclei are sometimes found in dwarf and very late-type galaxies. The nearby Sd III-IV galaxy NGC 4395 contains the intrinsically faintest known Seyfert 1 nucleus, with a broad Ha luminosity only ∼ 0.1 that of M81. The idea that the apparent “activity” in some galaxies is a direct consequence of vigorous star formation has some strong supporting evidence, and should seriously be considered. As an example, I focus on the peculiar supernova 1987F, whose optical spectrum bears a striking resemblance to that of typical Seyfert 1 nuclei.