On the Nature of BL Lac Objects

The BL Lacertae objects, or BL Lacs, have multi-wavelength continua dominated by non-thermal emission from a relativistic jet, and are characterised by a lack of optical emission lines. We find, through observations and modelling that the dominant factor in a source being called a BL Lac is the intrinsic lack of flux from the broad-line region – likely connected with a weak accretion disc – rather than an overwhelmingly powerful jet. This has important implications for the nature of the accretion flow in these objects.