Published in 1978, Physica Scripta, Vol. 17, 193
ACCRETION AND THE QUASAR PHENOMENON
Martin J. Rees
Institute of
Astronomy, Cambridge, England
Abstract. Quasars are interpreted as massive black holes in
galactic nuclei which are fuelled by capturing gas or stars from their
surroundings. This paper discusses the supply of gas, the nature of
the inflow (disclike or quasispherical) and the radiation processes.
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
- WHAT SUPPLIES THE INFALLING GAS?
- General Infall from the Galaxy
- Stellar Disruption
- MODES OF ACCRETION
- Disc Accretion
- Dissipative Quasi-Spherical Accretion
- THE CONTINUUM RADIATION
- Processes Involving Synchrotron-Type Emission from
Relativistic Particles
- Other Plasma-Type Processes
- THE SIZES OF THE EMITTING REGIONS
- THE EVOLUTIONARY CONTEXT: "DEAD" QUASARS
- CONCLUSION
- REFERENCES
