The broad emission line and continuum variations of Seyfert galaxies. I - Time scales and amplitudes

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (36) References (39) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS The Broad Emission Line and Continuum Variations of Seyfert Galaxies. I. Time Scales and Amplitudes Rosenblatt, Edward I. ; Malkan, Matthew A. ; Sargent, Wallace L. W. ; Readhead, Anthony C. S. Abstract Spectroscopic observations of 13 Seyfert 1 galaxies made from 1979 to 1984 at Palomar and Steward Observatories were analyzed for Balmer-line and optical continuum variability. The majority of the galaxies showed significant variations, particularly in the continuum. Typical peak-to-peak changes for Hβ and Hγ integrated line fluxes were 100%-200%, while the continua varied by 200%-350%. In several cases, Balmer-line and continuum variations were found to be strongly correlated, as expected for photoionization by a central continuum source. However, these correlations were found to be highly nonlinear. Significant correlations were found between variability amplitude and global AGN properties such as luminosity. Moreover, a significant number of variations occurring on short time scales constrains the size of the broad-line region in Seyfert galaxies to ~90 light-days across or less. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series Pub Date: July 1992 DOI: 10.1086/191687 Bibcode: 1992ApJS...81...59R Keywords: Emission Spectra; Seyfert Galaxies; Active Galactic Nuclei; Astronomical Observatories; Astronomical Spectroscopy; Balmer Series; H Lines; Astrophysics; GALAXIES: SEYFERT full text sources ADS | data products SIMBAD (15) Related Materials (1) Part 2: 1994ApJS...93...73R