2004/12/07 by R. Bachev, A. Strigachev, E. Semkov
Physics and Astronomy · #Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations #Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena #Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena #astro-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1111/j.1365-2966.2005.08708.x
published as Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 358 (2005) 774-780 · 7 pages, accepted for publication in MNRAS
arxiv created 2004/12/07 · openalex publication_date 2005/03/23 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In this paper we present the results of a search for short-term variability in the optical band of selected high-luminosity, high-redshift radio-quiet quasars. Each quasar has been monitored typically for 2–4 h with a time resolution of 2–5 min and a photometric accuracy of about 0.01–0.02 mag. As a result of the significant redshift (z > 2), the covered wavelength range falls into the ultraviolet region (typically 1500–2500 Å). We have found no statistical evidence for any continuum variations larger than 0.01–0.02 mag for any of the monitored objects. Our results suggest that the presence of a short-term variability in radio-quiet quasars is unlikely even in the ultraviolet region, contrary to reports by other authors. This conclusion holds true at least for high-luminosity (large black hole mass and accretion rate?) objects. The results are consistent with the idea that significant short-term (less than 1 h) variations in active galactic nuclei, where observed, should be attributed primarily to processes in a relativistic jet.