1. |
- Edelson, R. A., et al.
(author)
-
Multiwavelength observations of short-timescale variability in NGC 4151. IV. Analysis of multiwavelength continuum variability
- 1996
-
In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 470:1, s. 364-377377
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For pt.III see ibid., vol.470, no.1, p.349-63 (1996). Combines data from the three preceding papers in order to analyze the multi wave-band variability and spectral energy distribution of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151 during the 1993 December monitoring campaign. The source, which was near its peak historical brightness, showed strong, correlated variability at X-ray, ultraviolet, and optical wavelengths. The strongest variations were seen in medium-energy (~1.5 keV) X-rays, with a normalized variability amplitude (NVA) of 24%. Weaker (NVA=6%) variations (uncorrelated with those at lower energies) were seen at soft gamma-ray energies of ~100 keV. No significant variability was seen in softer (0.1-1 keV) X-ray bands. In the ultraviolet/optical regime, the NVA decreased from 9% to 1% as the wavelength increased from 1275 to 6900 Aring. These data do not probe extreme ultraviolet (1200 Aring to 0.1 keV) or hard X-ray (250 keV) variability. The phase differences between variations in different bands were consistent with zero lag, with upper limits of lsim0.15 day between 1275 Aring and the other ultraviolet bands, lsim0.3 day between 1275 Aring and 1.5 keV, and lsim1 day between 1275 and 5125 Aring. These tight limits represent more than an order of magnitude improvement over those determined in previous multi-wave-band AGN monitoring campaigns. The ultraviolet fluctuation power spectra showed no evidence for periodicity, but were instead well fitted with a very steep, red power law (ales-2.5)
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2. |
- Crenshaw, D. M., et al.
(author)
-
Multiwavelength observations of short-timescale variability in NGC 4151. I. Ultraviolet observations
- 1996
-
In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 470:1, s. 322-335335
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Presents the results of an intensive ultraviolet monitoring campaign on the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151, as part of an effort to study its short-timescale variability over a broad range in wavelength. The nucleus of NGC 4151 was observed continuously with the International Ultraviolet Explorer for 9.3 days, yielding a pair of LWP and SWP spectra every ~70 minutes, and during 4 hr periods for 4 days prior to and 5 days after the continuous-monitoring period. The sampling frequency of the observations is an order of magnitude higher than that of any previous UV monitoring campaign on a Seyfert galaxy. The continuum fluxes in bands from 1275 to 2688 Aring went through four significant and well-defined ldquoeventsrdquo of duration 2-3 days during the continuous-monitoring period. The authors find that the amplitudes of the continuum variations decrease with increasing wavelength, which extends a general trend for this and other Seyfert galaxies to smaller timescales (i.e., a few days). The continuum variations in all the UV bands are simultaneous to within an accuracy of ~0.15 days, providing a strict constraint on continuum models. The emission-line light curves show only one major event during the continuous monitoring (a slow rise followed by a shallow dip) and do not correlate well with continuum light curves over the short duration of the campaign, because the timescale for continuum variations is apparently smaller than the response times of the emission lines
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3. |
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4. |
- Clavel, J., et al.
(author)
-
Steps toward determination of the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei. I. An 8 month campaign of monitoring NGC 5548 with IUE
- 1991
-
In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 366:1, s. 64-8181
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The authors present emission-line and ultraviolet continuum observations of a type I Seyfert galaxy in which the time resolution is adequate for describing the character of variability. Using the IUE satellite, the nucleus of NGC 5548 was observed every 4 days for a period of 8 months. Its mean properties-continuum shape, line ratios-are not unusual for type I Seyfert galaxies, but it was found to be strongly variable. The ultraviolet continuum flux and broad emission line fluxes varied significantly, going through three large maxima and three deep minima. The great majority of all variations were well resolved in time. The data lend qualitative support to the view that photoionization by the nuclear continuum is responsible for driving the emission lines
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5. |
- Jackson, N., et al.
(author)
-
Monitoring of active galactic nuclei. I. The quasars 1302-102 and 1217+023
- 1992
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 262:1, s. 17-2525
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Presents the results of a five-month spectroscopic monitoring campaign of two radio-loud quasars PKS 1217+023 and PKS 1302-102. There is a pronounced lack of variability in 1302-102 apart from a possible small change in the continuum level near the end of the monitoring period, but 1217+023 underwent a 20% continuum decrease in the middle of the campaign. No line variability at all was observed. The co-added data represent two of the best spectra yet obtained of any radio-loud quasar other than 3C 273, and the shape of the Hbeta line and the presence underneath it of other contaminating lines are well determined. The Hbeta broad line in 1302-102 is redshifted by 3 Aring with respect to the narrow line region and there is evidence for a separate broad Hbeta feature on top of the main Hbeta emission in both quasars. This feature is stronger in 1217+023 than in 1302-102
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6. |
- Penston, M. V., et al.
(author)
-
The extended narrow line region of NGC 4151. I. Emission line ratios and their implications
- 1990
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 236:1, s. 53-6262
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The paper presents the first results from long-slit spectra of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 4151 which give average diagnostic ratios of weak lines in the extended narrow line region (ENLR) of that galaxy and the first direct density measurement in an ENLR. These data confirm that the ENLR is kinematically undisturbed gas in the disc of the galaxy which is illuminated by an ionizing continuum stronger by a factor of 13 than a power law interpolated between observed ultraviolet and X-ray fluxes. Explanations of this apparent excess include a hot thermal continuum, time variations and an anisotropic radiation field. The authors give reasons for favouring anisotropy which might be caused by shadowing by a thick accretion disc or by relativistic beaming. Shadowing by a molecular torus is unlikely, given the absence of an infrared signal from the reradiated flux absorbed by any torus. Anisotropy would have important implications for the bolometric luminosity and nature of active galactic nuclei
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7. |
- Salamanca, I., et al.
(author)
-
Spectroscopic monitoring of active galactic nuclei. III. Size of the broad line region in NGC 3227
- 1994
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 282:3, s. 742-752752
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For pt.II see ibid., vol.269, no.1-2, p.39-53 (1993). The authors present the results of a five-month monitoring campaign of the active galactic nucleus in NGC 3227. The Hbeta and Halpha emission lines and the optical continuum have been analysed. The optical AGN continuum and the broad-line region (BLR) emission in NGC 3227 appear to vary by about 40% on a timescale of 1.5 month. The levels of the broad-line emission and the 675.0 nm continuum are well correlated, a fact consistent with the assumption that the BLR material is photoionised by the central continuum source. Cross-correlation analyses between the light curves of the 675.0 nm AGN continuum and the BLR H emission indicate that the lag of the BLR emission with respect to the continuum variations is 17plusmn7 days. This result suggests that the BLR clouds that are affected by the changes in the flux of the central ionising source lie about 17 light days away from it
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8. |
- Stirpe, G. M., et al.
(author)
-
Monitoring of active galactic nuclei. V. The Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 279
- 1994
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 285:3, s. 857-867867
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For pt. IV see ibid., vol.284, no.1, p.33-43 (1994). Reports on the Lovers of Active Galaxies' (LAG) monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Markarian 279 from January to June 1990. The source, which was in a very bright state, gradually weakened after the first month of monitoring: the Halpha and Hbeta flux decreased by 20% and 35% respectively, and the continuum under Halpha by 30%. The luminosity-weighted radius of the broad line region (BLR), as derived from the cross-correlation function, is of the order of 10 light days. This result is very uncertain because the features in the light curves are very shallow, but it is unlikely that the radius of the BLR is more than 1 light month. The profile variations of Halpha confirm that the prevailing motions are not radial. The data of the present campaign and those obtained in previous years, when the source was in a much weaker state, show that the red asymmetry of the Balmer lines correlates positively with the broad line flux. This new effect is briefly discussed
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9. |
- Wanders, I., et al.
(author)
-
Spectroscopic monitoring of active galactic nuclei. II. The Seyfert-1 galaxy NGC 3516
- 1993
-
In: Astronomy and Astrophysics. - 0004-6361 .- 1432-0746. ; 269:1-2, s. 39-5353
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The authors present the results of a five month spectroscopic monitoring campaign of the Seyfert-1 galaxy NGC 3516. Using a new calibration method and applying a correction for seeing differences during the various observations they can scale the spectra to each other with a much higher accuracy than hitherto achieved. NGC 3516 shows large amplitude variations on a time scale of several weeks. Asymmetric profile variations occur on the same time scale as the continuum variations. The authors show the presence of a varying dip on the blue wing of the Hbeta profile, which is not present on the Halpha profile, and which corresponds to the absorption features previously seen in the UV emission lines of NGC 3516. From cross-correlation analysis they find a time lag of 14plusmn2 days for the Halpha and 7plusmn3 days for the Hbeta emission-line response to continuum variations
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