Variability and the nature of QSO optical-infrared continua
Journal Article
·
· Astrophys. J.; (United States)
Preliminary results are presented of a program to study the optical and infrared continuum emission of quiescent QSOs using simultaneous UBVRIJHK photometry. The amplitude of variability in six of the seven sources discussed is greatest in the blue and ultraviolet and decreases toward longer wavelengths. Only 3C 273 exhibits variability at all wavelengths observed, changing by a similar amount in each spectral band.All of the other QSOs were nonvarying at 2.2 microns, despite variations in the visible and ultraviolet. This variability behavior and the optical-infrared spectral energy distribution in each object except 3C 273 strongly suggest that the infrared and variable optical continuum emission arise from distinct sources within the QSOs. Several possible models of the origin of the continua are examined. 29 references.
- Research Organization:
- Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ
- OSTI ID:
- 5612701
- Journal Information:
- Astrophys. J.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J.; (United States) Vol. 296; ISSN ASJOA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Unusual ultraviolet variability of the QSO 3C 232
Hot dust and the near-infrared bump in the continuum spectra of quasars and active galactic nuclei
Continuum of QSOs and the nature of the broad 3600 A emission feature
Journal Article
·
Mon Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1986
· Astrophys. J.; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:5381063
Hot dust and the near-infrared bump in the continuum spectra of quasars and active galactic nuclei
Journal Article
·
Tue Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1987
· Astrophys. J.; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:5748848
Continuum of QSOs and the nature of the broad 3600 A emission feature
Journal Article
·
Tue Jun 15 00:00:00 EDT 1982
· Astrophys. J.; (United States)
·
OSTI ID:6650852