Program: GS-2010A-Q-10

Title:Searching for silicate emission in type 2 AGN
PI:Rachel Mason
Co-I(s): Los Piratas, the CanariCam AGN science team

Abstract

We have recently published high-spatial-resolution, 2-20 micron SEDs for a sample of 17 Seyfert galaxies, easily the largest sample for which this has been accomplished to date. Fitting clumpy torus models to these data suggests that, contrary to the predictions of the unified model of AGN, there are intrinsic differences between the nuclear obscuration in Seyferts of types 1 and 2. The models also make predictions about the strength of the mid-IR silicate emission features in each galaxy which, if the models are robust, should be borne out observationally. We propose T-ReCS spectroscopy of two challenging cases: type 2 Seyferts in which our torus models predict that we should observe silicate features in *emission*. If true, these anomalous objects will extend our understanding of AGN unification. If not, the data will yield valuable insight into the clumpy torus models themselves.

Publications using this program's data