High-resolution radio observations of Seyfert galaxies in the extended 12-micron sample - II. The Properties of compact radio components

Abstract

We discuss the properties of compact nuclear radio components in Seyfert galaxies from the extended 12 µm AGN sample of Rush et al. (1993). Our main results can be summarised as follows. Type 1 and type 2 Seyferts produce compact radio components which are indistinguishable in strength and aspect, indicating that their central engines are alike as proposed by the unification model. Infrared IRAS fluxes are more closely correlated with low–resolution radio fluxes than high–resolution radio fluxes, suggesting that they are dominated by kiloparsec–scale, extra–nuclear emission regions; extra–nuclear emission may be stronger in type 2 Seyferts. Early–type Seyfert galaxies tend to have stronger nuclear radio emission than late–type Seyfert galaxies. V–shaped extended emission–line regions, indicative of ‘ionisation cones’, are usually found in sources with large, collimated radio outflows. Hidden broad lines are most likely to be found in sources with powerful nuclear radio sources. Type 1 and type 2 Seyferts selected by their IRAS 12 µm flux densities have well matched properties.