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We present here the analysis of ultraviolet spectra from IUE and an X-ray spectrum from ROSAT PSPC observations of the X-ray weak, far-infrared loud AGN, PG 1126-041 (Mrk 1298). The first UV spectra taken in June 1992, simultaneously with ROSAT, show strong absorption lines of NV, CIV and SiIV, extending over a velocity range from -1000 to -5000 km/s with respect to the corresponding line centre. Our analysis shows that the Broad Emission Line Region (BELR) is, at least partially, covered by the material causing these absorption lines. In the IUE spectrum taken in Jan. 1995, the continuum was a factor of two brighter and the UV absorption lines are found to be considerably weaker than in 1992, but only little variation in the emission line fluxes is found. With UV spectral indices of A_{uv} \simeq 1.82 and 1.46 for the 1992 and 1995 data, the far UV spectrum is steep. Based on the emission line ratios and the broad band spectral energy distribution, we argue that the steepness of the UV spectrum is unlikely to be due to reddening. The soft X-ray emission in the ROSAT band is weak. A simple power-law model yields a very poor fit with a UV-to-X-ray spectral index A_{uvx}=2.32. Highly ionized (warm) absorption is suggested by the ROSAT data. After correcting for a warm absorber, the optical to X-ray spectral slope is close to the average of A{uvx}\simeq 1.67 for radio quiet quasars., Comment: 8 pages, 9 postscript figures. Mon. Not. Roy. Astr. Soc., accepted

We present an analysis of the ultraviolet and X-Ray variability of the Broad- Line-Radio Galaxy 3C390.3 over 15 years. The UV continuum showed large variations with amplitudes of up to a factor of 10. We find: (1) The variations of CIV and Ly_alpha are highly correlated with the UV continuum, and are delayed with respect to the continuum variations by 50-110 days with the red wing of both CIV and Ly_alpha , leading the blue wing; (2) The CIV/Ly_alpha ratio is positively correlated with both the continuum flux and UV line strength, a behavior different from other AGNs studied so far; (3) The blue sides of the Ly_alpha and CIV profiles are similar to the blue side of the Balmer lines, while the red sides are different, suggesting a different origin for the red peak in the Balmer lines. Our results suggest: (1) The broad CIV and Ly_alpha emitting gas is infalling towards the central object; (2) The overall behaviour of the CIV/Ly_alpha ratio and the absence of a big blue bump, strongly indicate the coexistence of optically thick as well as optically thin BLR clouds; (3) Assuming circular symmetry and predominantly circular motion, the BLR gas is situated at 83$\pm$25 lightdays from the central source; (4) Under these assumptions and with the derived circular velocity of $v_{rot} \simeq$ 2850 km s$^{-1}$, the central mass inside this radius is confined to $1.3~10^8 M\odot < M_{CM}< 4.0~10^8 M\odot$; (6) Comparing our results with those obtained from VLBI and observations of the Fe $K\alpha$ line, suggests the association of the BLR with a disk, inclined at 98$\pm$12 degrees with respect to the direction of superluminal motion of the radio blobs.

The large amplitude of the variations of the Seyfert I Galaxy Fairall-9 between 1978 and 1991 make this Active Galaxy especially suitable for a combined study in terms of reverberation analysis and photoioniza- tion modeling over the velocity eld of the broad lines of its ultraviolet spectrum. We have combined our ultravio- let data with those available at other wavelengths to de- rive the intrinsic ionizing continuum and to compare the predictions of the photoionization models with the obser- vations. The UV continuum varies with a factor of 33 4 on a characteristic time scale of 182 days. The intrinsic spectral index UV-optical is = 0:07 0:02 and the optical variations do not lag behind the UV variations at the mean sampling interval of 96 days. In the near IR, the J band flux presents a direct extension of the UV-optical continuum (J UV = 0:07 0:05). Only at low flux levels is the 2 10 keV flux proportional to the UV contin- uum, at higher UV flux levels proportionality between the X-rays and the UV brightness breaks down. The con- tinuum spectral energy distribution (SED) of the nu- cleus supports the previously reported FIR-NIR excess associated with 0.02 M dust at a distance of some 400 100 light-days, as well as a soft X-ray excess, possi- bly associated with the reprocessing on an accretion disk of the hard X-rays emitted from a region above the disk. The presence of strong Fe Kline in the GINGA spec- tra of this galaxy does lend support to this model. Line prole variability has been used to isolate four gaussian line components, which are sucient to describe all lines at all levels of brightness in a consistent way: one nar- row (i.e. unresolved at the IUE resolution), and three broad components: a central (velocity same as the nar

Since most observational material relevant for the variability of Active Galaxies is not available in regularly sampled lightcurves, such as have been collected by the AGN WATCH, using more data, to obtain reverberation results for more objects, one will have to rely on irregularly sampled lightcurves. Previous analyses of irregularly sampled observations suggest that it is possible to obtain results from such data sets. To evaluate the statistical significance of such determinations, we constructed simulated observational data of a stochastic process with random sampling, different transfer functions and noise conditions. These allow to estimate the statistical significance of cross-correlation calculations (CCF) on irregularly sampled data, as compared with the known input process. The results suggest that, in these conditions, the CCF is sufficiently robust to allow delays to be determined, but a careful error treatment is required.

Carol Lonsdale, Infrared Processing and Analysis Center, California Institute of Technology/JPL, Pasadena, CA, USA

We present the data and initial results from a combined Hubble Space Telescope (HST)/IUE/ground-based spectroscopic monitoring campaign on the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 5548 that was undertaken in order to address questions that require both higher temporal resolution and higher signal-to-noise ratios than were obtained in our previous multiwavelength monitoring of this galaxy in 1988-1989. IUE spectra were obtained once every 2 days for a period of 74 days beginning on 1993 March 14. During the last 39 days of this campaign, spectroscopic observations were also made with the HST Faint Object Spectrograph (FOS) on a daily basis. Ground-based observations, consisting of 165 optical spectra and 77 photometric observations (both CCD imaging and aperture photometry), are reported for the period 1992 October-1993 September, although many of the data are concentrated around the time of the satellite-based program. These data constitute a fifth year of intensive optical monitoring of this galaxy. In this contribution we describe the acquisition and reduction of all of the satellite and ground-based data obtained in this program. We describe in detail various photometric problems with the FOS and explain how we identified and corrected for various anomalies.

We formulate and test a series of algorithms for echo mapping the emission-line regions near active galactic nuclei from measurements of correlated variability in their line and continuum light curves. The linear regularization method (LRM) employs a direct inversion of evenly spaced light-curve data, with a regularization parameter that can be used to control the trade-off between noise and resolution. Matrix formulas express the formal solution as well as its variance and covariance in terms of uncertainties in the measurements. Unlike the maximum-entropy method (MEM), LRM applies to kernels with both positive and negative values, but the results are somewhat limited by ringing effects. A positivity constraint proves effective in controlling the ringing. MEM combines regularization and positivity in a natural way, but similar results are also found using positivity constraints with nonentropic regularization functions. Direct inversions of unevenly sampled light curves require interpolating the noisy data. In this case better results are found by solving for both the continuum light curve and kernel function in a simultaneous fit to the data. Our conclusion is that while echo mapping currently gives ambiguous results, the algorithms are not the limiting factor. Progress depends on efforts to increase the accuracy and completeness of sampling of the observed light curves.

We report on the results of intensive ultraviolet spectral monitoring of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3783. The nucleus of NGC 3783 was observed with the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite on a regular basis for a total of 7 months, once every 4 days for the first 172 days and once every other day for the final 50 days. Significant variability was observed in both continuum and emission-line fluxes. The light curves for the continuum fluxes exhibited two well-defined local minima or 'dips,' the first lasting is less than or approximately 20 days and the second is less than or approximately 4 days, with additional episodes of relatively rapid flickering of approximately the same amplitude. As in the case of NGC 5548 (the only other Seyfert galaxy that has been the subject of such an intensive, sustained monitoring effort), the largest continuum variations were seen at the shortest wavelengths, so that the continuum became 'harder' when brighter. The variations in the continuum occurred simultaneously at all wavelengths (delta(t) is less than 2 days). Generally, the amplitude of variability of the emission lines was lower than (or comparable to) that of the continuum. Apart from Mg II (which varied little) and N V (which is relatively weak and badly blended with Ly(alpha), the light curves of the emission lines are very similar to the continuum light curves, in each case with a small systematic delay or 'lag.' As for NGC 5548, the highest ionization lines seem to respond with shorter lags than the lower ionization lines. The lags found for NGC 3783 are considerably shorter than those obtained for NGC 5548, with values of (formally) approximately 0 days for He II + O III), and approximately 4 days for Ly(alpha) and C IV. The data further suggest lags of approximately 4 days for Si IV + O IV) and 8-30 days for Si III + C III). Mg II lagged the 1460 A continuum by approximately 9 days, although this result depends on the method of measuring the line flux and may in fact be due to variability of the underlying Fe II lines. Correlation analysis further shows that the power density spectrum contains substantial unresolved power over timescales of is less than or approximately 2 days, and that the character of the continuum variability may change with time.

The near infrared emission (NIR) of radio quiet active galactic nuclei is commonly attributed to dust, absorbing and re-emitting some of the nuclear UV radiation. The dust can survive only at distances larger than a few light months, and any rapid variation of the nuclear radiation, on timescales of a day or less, will be completely smeared out.

This is an electronic version of an article published in The Astrophysical Journal. Clavel, J. et al. Steps toward determination of the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei. I. An 8 month campaign of monitoring NGC 5548 with IUE. The Astrophysical Journal 366 (1991): 64-81

SummaryRecent EXOSAT observations of active galactic nuclei are presented. Unlike earlier X-ray satellites (all of which flew in low earth orbit), the deep orbit of EXOSAT allows long continuous observations of celestial X-ray sources, uninterrupted by earth occultation etc. We present the results of EXOSAT observations of several AGN which have been seen to vary rapidly (timescale 0.2–6 hours). We also consider the implications of rapid variability in AGN. For Seyfert galaxies and quasars, we find a highly significant correlation between the timescale of variability and their X-ray luminosity. They are not, howwever, bounded either by the (classical) Eddington limit nor by efficiency arguments. We sugest, rather, that the emitting plasma is dominated by electron-positron pairs.

Contemporaneous X-ray (from the Ginga satellite) and ultraviolet (IUE) observations of NGC 5548 in 1989-1990 show that the 1350 A and 2-10 keV flux both varied by a factor of 2.6 in a highly correlated fashion. Adding an additional simultaneous IUE-Exosat observation from 1984 significantly weakens the correlation, since the UV flux was 3.5 times larger then than its average 1990 value, while the X-ray flux was only 70 percent higher. In 1990 the UV and X-ray flux variations appear to be simultaneous to within no more than six days. These results, together with the simultaneity of the variations at 5000 and 1350 A, are incompatible with the standard geometrically thin accretion model. They may be explained, however, if part of the UV and optical radiation originates from reprocessing of X-rays emitted above the disk. Thus essentially all the UV flux in 1990 would be due to reprocessing. But the large UV outburst in 1984 probably represents a genuine increase in the disk throughput due to instability in the disk itself. The similar relationship between UV and X-ray emission in NGC 4151 suggests that this scheme may be applicable to Seyfert galaxies as a class.

The Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3516 was monitored during 1993 February 16-May 13 by IUE every 4 days for the first month, and then every 2 days for 2 months giving a total of 40 observations. This paper gives the initial results from this campaign, (1) The broa

The behavior of the C IV 1550 A emission line strength in variable active galactic nuclei (AGNs) such as Seyfert 1 galaxies and one broad-line radio galaxy (BLRG) is discussed on the basis of low-resolution spectra from IUE. The results are compared with those obtained previously for QSO samples. The variation of individual AGNs indicate that they present matter-bounded conditions when the AGN is in a high-luminosity state. Such behavior is illustrated by the variations seen in the Seyfert 1 galaxy F9, where the transition from photon-bounded to matter-bounded occurs at a transition luminosity of ergs/sec per Hz. The results indicate the existence of a transition luminosity, which appears to be typical for an individual galaxy. An absolute luminosity limit also appears to be present both in the C IV line at 45.0 ergs/sec and for the continuum at 31.7 ergs/sec per Hz. 25 references.

The Seyfert galaxy Fairall 9 (F9) has been observed in the far-UV and optical range with the IUE, and at 27 different epochs at J, H, K, and L. The UV continuum underwent dramatic variations, its intensity decreasing by a factor 33 from a maximum in 1978 to a deep minimum in mid-1984. The near-IR and optical fluxes changed by a factor of about three and in the same sense as the UV. The K and L emission are interpreted as thermal radiation from dust lying at about 1 lt-yr from the UV source. The Ly-alpha 1216, C IV 1550, and Mg II 2800 emission-line intensities also vary in the same sense as the UV continuum but with a lag of 155 + or - 45 days. This strongly suggests that the broad-line region (BLR) gas is photoionized and lies inside the dust shell. Strong evidence is presented that the Mg II 2800 line emissivity depends primarily on the density of soft X-ray photons, as postulated in optically thick photoionization models of the BLR. 59 references.

Averaged low-resolution IUE spectra of the Seyfert I galaxy NGC 3783 at two brightness levels are presented. The wavelength interval 1250-1400 A, which is essentially free of emission lines in active galaxies, contains two absorption lines at 1303 A and 1335 A. The line at 1303 A shows, in contrast to the line at 1335 A, considerable variations with continuum brightness. This is interpreted as variations in the Si III (4) metastable absorption at 1294-1305 A, with an outflow velocity of about 3000 km/s. C IV absorption at the same velocity is present when the galaxy is bright. This indicates the presence of outflow of material, which is optically thin to the variable ionizing UV continuum. The variable UV continuum has to extend at least until 50 eV (about 250 A). 10 references.

Very weak optical Fe II lines are noted in the present simultaneous optical and IUE spectra of the two Seyfert galaxies Mrk 290 and Mrk 915. Strong and distinct UV features are also observed in the spectrum of Mrk 290. A synthetic spectrum fitting is conducted for all spectral features between 1900 and 5500 A, using the calculations of Netzer and Wills (1983). IUE archival spectra of the broad line radio galaxy 3C 390.3 is compared with optical data obtained during the same year, and evidence is found for strong UV Fe II lines. The present results demonstrate several new aspects of the spectra of active galactic nuclei, including the great amount of energy emitted by Fe II lines and the possible importance of dust and/or very high density clouds in such objects.