A 0.8-2.4 microns spectral atlas of Active Galactic Nuclei

Aims: Present a near-infrared spectral atlas of 47 active galactic nuclei (AGN), of all degrees of activity, in the wavelength interval of 0.8-2.4 microns, including the fluxes of the observed emission lines. Analyze the espectroscopic properties of the continuum and emission line spectra of the sources. Methods: In order to exclude aperture and seeing effects we use near-infrared spectroscopy in the short cross-dispersed mode (SXD, 0.8-2.4 microns), taking simultaneously the JHK-bands spectra. Results: We present the most extensive NIR spectral atlas of AGN made up to date aimed at creating a suitable database to study the continuum and line emission properties of these objects in a region full of interesting features. Overall we conclude that the shape of the continuum of QSOs and Seyfert 1's are similar, being essentially flat in H and K band, in the J band, a strong variation is found. In Seyfert 2 galaxies, the continuum smoothly decreases from 1.2 microns redwards in almost all sources. In J, it smoothly rises bluewards in some sources while in others a small decreased is observed. The spectra are dominated by strong emission features of H I, He I, He II, [S III] and conspicuous forbidden lines of low and high ionization species. Molecular lines of H2 are common features to most objects. The absence of O I and Fe II lines in Seyfert 2 galaxies give observational support to the fact that these lines are formated in the outermost portion of the broad line region. [P II] and coronal lines are detected in all degrees of activity. The [Fe II] 12570A/16436\A line ratio becomes as a reliable reddening indicator for Seyfert galaxies