Near infrared spectroscopy of active galaxies

Recent progress in applying near infrared spectroscopy to the study of active galactic nuclei is reviewed. This wavelength region contains important lines such as the Paschen and Brackett hydrogen recombination lines, HeI(1.083μm) and OI(1.1287μm) which complement lines in the visible spectrum for studies of the reddening and physical conditions. With current array spectrometers it is now possible to observe Hα at high s/n in QSOs at z∼2 and to measure linewidths and profiles with sufficient resolution to investigate for e.g the question of visually obscured BLRs in Seyfert 2 galaxies. Strong [FeII] and H2 line and 3.28 μm feature emission observed in galaxies with Seyfert nuclei imply vigorous star forming activity and/or an interaction between the active nucleus and circumnuclear gas