1. A search for microvariability in five OVV quasars
- Author
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J. Sokoloski, H. R. Miller, C. M. Urry, J. C. Nobel, S. B. Howell, and M. T. Carini
- Subjects
Physics ,Supermassive black hole ,Brightness ,Active galactic nucleus ,Accretion disc ,Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena ,Astronomy ,Quasar ,Astrophysics::Cosmology and Extragalactic Astrophysics ,Astrophysics ,Visible radiation ,OVV quasar ,Astrophysics::Galaxy Astrophysics - Abstract
We present results of monitoring a sample of five OVV quasars in an effort to determine if these types of AGNs exhibit microvariability similar to that detected for BL Lacertae objects. Three of the five quasars investigated clearly exhibited microvariability. The timescales for the variations for both BL Lacertae objects and OVV quasars are similar which suggests that the radiation is generated in similar spatial volumes. These variations are consistent with the results of models which explain the observed microvariability as the result of excess emission produced by flares or hot spots randomly appearing and disappearing on the accretion disks around supermassive black holes.
- Published
- 1992
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