Discrete correlation function - a new method for analyzing unevenly sampled variability data

Journal Article · Sat Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1988 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/166773· OSTI ID:6539553

Edelson, R A; Krolik, J H

A method for measuring correlation functions without interpolating in the temporal domain is proposed which provides an assumption-free representation of the correlation measured in the data and allows meaningful error estimates. Physical interpretation of the cross-correlation function of two series believed to be related by a convolution is shown to require knowledge of the input function's fluctuation power spectrum. Application of the method to two systems reveals no correlation for the optical data of Akn 120, but a strong correlation for the UV data of NGC 4151, placing bounds of between 1.2 and 20 light days on the size of the line-emitting region. 19 references.

• Research Organization: Colorado Univ., Boulder (USA); Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, MD (USA)
• OSTI ID: 6539553
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 333
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASTROPHYSICS
DATA ANALYSIS
CORRELATION FUNCTIONS
EMISSION SPECTRA
QUASARS
SEYFERT GALAXIES
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
FUNCTIONS
GALAXIES
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
640100* - Astrophysics & Cosmology