Optical Microvariability in Radio Quiet Quasars

Abstract

We have observed 11 radio quiet QSOs (RQQSOs) to see if they exhibit intranight variability in the optical. The detection of such microvariability would support models in which fluctuations on accretion disks are dominant, while if it is never present, models based on relativistic jets would be favored. Although several of these RQQSOs show hints of microvariability, we cannot claim to have discovered this phenomenon in this class of objects. Several of the comparison stars have clearly shown rapid variability.