Infrared Number Counts of AGN in the GOODS Fields

Abstract

Using the known numbers and evolution of unobscured AGN, and assuming that there is a large number of corresponding obscured AGN -- as expected if AGN unification is correct -- we predict the infrared number counts of AGN. These agree well with the observed GOODS Spitzer data at 3.6, 8 and 24 $μ$m, provided that the dust content of the obscuring torus is $\sim 2$x less than assumed. This strongly supports the AGN unification picture, and implies a large population of infrared bright obscured AGN at all redshifts and luminosities.

To appear in the conference proceedings for Spitzer New Views of the Universe, held Nov. 2004 in Pasadena, CA