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On the emission-line response to continuum variations in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5548

Journal Article · · Astrophysical Journal; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/185875· OSTI ID:6104465
;  [1]
  1. Tel Aviv Univ. (Israel) Wise Observatory (Israel) Ohio State Univ., Columbus (USA) Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton, NJ (USA)

The two optical monitoring groups which have recently attempted to ascertain the continuum and emission-line variations in the Seyfert galaxy NGC 5548 have reported apparently contradictory results for the delay of H-beta variations with respect to the continuum. The measurements of Clavel et al. (1991) are presently used to demonstrate that the emission-line lag behind continuum variations depends on the continuum variability time-scale in this object, in the sense that continuum variations with larger time-scales yield larger emission-line lags. Monte Carlo simulations are used to show that there is at least one possible model which can reproduce the two differing delays. 11 refs.

OSTI ID:
6104465
Journal Information:
Astrophysical Journal; (USA), Journal Name: Astrophysical Journal; (USA) Vol. 365; ISSN ASJOA; ISSN 0004-637X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English