Unveiling the physics of AGN through X-ray variability
Por:
Hernández-García L., González-Martín O., Masegosa J., Márquez I.
Publicada:
1 ene 2016
Resumen:
Although variability is a general property characterizing active galactic nuclei (AGN), it is not well established whether the changes occur in the same way in every nuclei. The main purpose of this work is to study the X-ray variability pattern(s) in AGN selected at optical wavelengths in a large sample, including low ionization nuclear emission line regions (LINERs) and type 1.8, 1.9, and 2 Seyferts, using the public archives in Chandra and/or XMM-Newton. Spectra of the same source gathered at different epochs were simultaneously fitted to study long term variations; the variability patterns were studied allowing different parameters to vary during the spectral fit. Whenever possible, short term variations from the analysis of the light curves and long term UV flux variability were studied. Variations at X-rays in timescales of months/years are very common in all AGN families but short term variations are only found in type 1.8 and 1.9 Seyferts. The main driver of the long term X-ray variations seems to be related to changes in the nuclear power. Other variability patterns cannot be discarded in a few cases. We discuss the geometry and physics of AGN through the X-ray variability analysis. © 2016 Proceedings of the 12th Scientific Meeting of the Spanish Astronomical Society - Highlights of Spanish Astrophysics IX, SEA 2016. All rights reserved.
Filiaciones:
Hernández-García L.:
Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, CSIC, Glorieta de la Astronomía, s/n, Granada, 18008, Spain
Istituto di Astrofisica e Planetologia Spaziali (IAPS-INAF), Via del Fosso del Cavaliere, 100, Roma, 00133, Italy
González-Martín O.:
Instituto de Radioastronomiá y Astrofísica (IRyA-UNAM), 3-72 (Xangari), Morelia, 8701, Mexico
Masegosa J.:
Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, CSIC, Glorieta de la Astronomía, s/n, Granada, 18008, Spain
Márquez I.:
Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía, CSIC, Glorieta de la Astronomía, s/n, Granada, 18008, Spain
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