The nature of the intranight variability of radio-quiet quasars

Details The nature of the intranight variability of radio-quiet quasars The nature of the intranight variability of radio-quiet quasars

2008-02-29

arxiv.org/abs/0802.4396v1

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astrophysics

MNRAS (in press)

Scientific paper

10.1111/j.1365-2966.2008.13131.x

We select a sample of 10 radio-quiet quasars with confirmed intranight optical variability and with available X-ray data. We compare the variability properties and the broad band spectral constraints to the predictions of intranight variability by three models: (i) irradiation of an accretion disk by a variable X-ray flux (ii) an accretion disk instability (iii) the presence of a weak blazar component. We concluded that the third model, e.g. the blazar component model, is the most promising if we adopt a cannonball model for the jet variable emission. In this case, the probability of detecting the intranight variability is within 20-80%, depending on the ratio of the disk to the jet optical luminosity. Variable X-ray irradiation mechanism is also possible but only under additional requirement: either the source should have a very narrow Hbeta line or occasional extremely strong flares should appear at very large disk radii.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

The nature of the intranight variability of radio-quiet quasars 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 The nature of the intranight variability of radio-quiet quasars, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and The nature of the intranight variability of radio-quiet quasars will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-353081