A multi-wavelength study of AGN in the K-band celestial reference frame

Project Description:

Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), stand out as the most prominent sources of electromagnetic radiation in the Universe. These sources not only command dominance over the extragalactic gamma-ray sky but also exhibit extraordinary behaviors characterized by rapid and often unpredictable high-amplitude flux variability across a broad spectrum of wavelengths, spanning from radio waves to gamma rays. Despite their spectacular prominence, the intricate physical processes governing their captivating behavior remain a profound mystery, rendering AGN as fascinating yet challenging subjects for astronomical research. This research aims to unravel some AGN mysteries using a multi-wavelength approach, combining data from the K-band CRF, Fermi-LAT Gamma-ray, and HartRAO single-dish observations. The focus is on studying the temporal evolution of AGN sources, exploring correlated relationships and time delays between different wavelengths. The student will gain skills in Python programming, data manipulation, and produce correlation plots to understand the variable behavior of AGN sources.

Research Area:

Astronomy

Project Level:

Honours

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(UCT)(UKZN)(NWU)

Special Requirements:

Basic programming skills.