Objective-Prism Emission-Line Searches for Active Galactic Nuclei

Abstract

Objective-prism surveys for UV-excess and emission-line objects, especially the First and Second Byurakan Surveys, have been central to the study of active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We review previous line-selected surveys for AGNs and discuss their contribution to our understanding of the AGN phenomena. In addition, we present results from the KPNO International Spectroscopic Survey, a modern digital objective-prism survey for emission line objects. This survey is discovering substantial numbers of new AGNs, in particular low-luminosity AGNs and LINERs.

To appear in IAU Colloq. 184, AGN Surveys, ed. R. F. Green, E. Ye. Khachikian, & D. B. Sanders (San Francisco: ASP), in press. 10 pages