Searching for AGN in Deep HST Fields
Vicki Sarajedini (University of Florida)
Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) are identified in deep HST surveys via a
number of selection techniques and wavelengths. In this talk, I compare
the samples of AGN selected via optical variability and spectroscopy to
those identified via X-rays and mid-IR indicators in HST survey fields.
Using the high-resolution of HST, we isolate the variable nuclear region
to identify intrinsically faint, low-luminosity AGN within their host
galaxies. We find that between 4 and 8% of galaxies in deep HST fields
host varying nuclei, many of which overlap with X-ray and mid-IR
selected sources. Recent results from the GOODS-South field reveal that
64% of X-ray and mid-IR selected AGN are optical variables. We
investigate the nature of the identified AGN and the role of obscuration
among the various selection techniques.
