Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2008-12-03
Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc.394:427-437,2009
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
12 pages, 10 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS
Scientific paper
10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.14302.x
We present the results of concurrent X-ray and optical monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 79 over a period of more than five years. We find that on short to medium time-scales (days to a few tens of days) the 2-10 keV X-ray and optical u and V band fluxes are significantly correlated, with a delay between the bands consistent with zero days. We show that most of these variations may be well reproduced by a model where the short-term optical variations originate from reprocessing of X-rays by an optically thick accretion disc. The optical light curves, however, also display long time-scale variations over thousands of days, which are not present in the X-ray light curve. These optical variations must originate from an independent variability mechanism and we show that they can be produced by variations in the (geometrically) thin disc accretion rate as well as by varying reprocessed fractions through changes in the location of the X-ray corona.
Arevalo Patricia
Breedt Elme
Cackett Edward M.
Gaskell Martin C.
Horne Keith
No associations
LandOfFree
Long term optical and X-ray variability of the Seyfert galaxy Markarian 79 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Long term optical and X-ray variability of the Seyfert galaxy Markarian 79, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Long term optical and X-ray variability of the Seyfert galaxy Markarian 79 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-135262