Abstract
Active galactic nuclei are the dominant sources of gamma rays outside our galaxy and are also candidates for the source of ultra-high energy cosmic rays. In addition to being emitters of broad-band non-thermal radiation throughout the electromagnetic spectrum, their emission is highly variable on timescales from years to minutes. Hence, high-cadence monitoring observations are needed to understand their emission mechanisms. The Africa Millimetre Telescope is planned to be the first mm-wave radio telescope on the African continent and one of few in the southern hemisphere. Further to contributing to the global mm-VLBI observations with the Event Horizon Telescope, substantial amounts of observation time will be available for monitoring observations of active galactic nuclei. Here we review the scientific scope of the Africa Millimetre Telescope for monitoring of active galactic nuclei at mm-wavelengths.
Highlights
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) and more the subclass of blazars have been a major topic of research throughout the electromagnetic spectrum for the past fifty years
Several apparent differences could be attributed to their non-spherical structure and the orientation of the highly relativistic jets relative to the line of sight [2]
EHT observations will only make use of a small fraction of the available observation time on the AMT, allowing for high-cadence monitoring observations of AGN to be conducted in addition
Summary
Active galactic nuclei (AGN) and more the subclass of blazars have been a major topic of research throughout the electromagnetic spectrum for the past fifty years. Down to gamma-ray flares lasting only minutes [9] and even limiting the size of the emission region to be smaller than 20% of the gravitational radius of the central black hole [10]. This motivates intensive efforts for monitoring the variability of AGN across the electromagnetic spectrum. Following recent positive developments of astronomy in Africa in general [11] and Namibia in particular [12], the Africa Millimetre Telescope (AMT) project aims to build a mm-wave radio telescope in Namibia [13]. EHT observations will only make use of a small fraction of the available observation time on the AMT, allowing for high-cadence monitoring observations of AGN to be conducted in addition
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