Optical variability properties of high luminosity AGN classes

Details Optical variability properties of high luminosity AGN classes Optical variability properties of high luminosity AGN classes

2003-06-19

arxiv.org/abs/astro-ph/0306395v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

36 pages, 14 Figures, due to large size Fig. 5,6,11 and 12 are not included. Intersted people contact to sagar@upso.ernet.in.

Scientific paper

10.1007/BF02702287

We present the results of a comparative study of the intra-night optical variability (INOV) characteristics of radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars, which involves a systematic intra-night optical monitoring of seven sets of high luminosity AGNs covering the redshift range {\it z} $\simeq 0.2$ to {\it z} $\simeq 2.2$. The sample, matched in the optical luminosity -- redshift (M$_B$ -- z) plane, consists of seven radio-quiet quasars (RQQs), eight radio lobe-dominated quasars (LDQs), six radio core-dominated quasars (CDQs) and five BL Lac objects (BLs). Systematic CCD observations, aided by a careful data analysis procedure, have allowed us to detect INOV with amplitudes as low as 1%. Present observations cover a total of 113 nights (720 hours) with only a single quasar monitored as continuously as possible on a night. Considering cases of only unambiguous detections of INOV we have estimated duty cycles (DCs) of 17%, 12%, 20% and 72% respectively for RQQs, LDQs, CDQs, and BLs. The low amplitude and low DC of INOV shown by RQQs compared to BLs can be understood in terms of their having optical synchrotron jets which are modestly misdirected from us. From our fairly extensive dataset, no unambiguous general trend of a correlation between the INOV amplitude and the apparent optical brightness of the quasar is noticed.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Optical variability properties of high luminosity AGN classes 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 Optical variability properties of high luminosity AGN classes, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical variability properties of high luminosity AGN classes will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-402396