1.2 Seyfert 2 Galaxies

Seyfert 2 galaxies are less luminous than Seyfert 1 galaxies and quasars and do not show broad emission lines. Their narrow lines are similar in width and excitation to the narrow lines of Seyfert 1s. The energy distribution of the nonstellar continuum is not very well known. It is confused with the stellar background at optical and near infrared wavelengths, and too weak to be accurately observed in the ultraviolet, with pre-HST instruments. There are some indications that the X-ray to optical luminosity ratio is similar to the one observed in the more luminous AGNs. There is also clear evidence that several Seyfert 2 galaxies are obscured Seyfert 1s (chapter 11). A typical Seyfert 2 spectrum is shown in Fig.1.