Optical Continuum and Emission-Line Variability of Seyfert 1 Galaxies
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used cross-correlation analysis to derive the sizes of the broad Hβ-emitting regions based on emission-line time delays, or lags.
Abstract: We present the light curves obtained during an 8 yr program of optical spectroscopic monitoring of nine Seyfert 1 galaxies: 3C 120, Akn 120, Mrk 79, Mrk 110, Mrk 335, Mrk 509, Mrk 590, Mrk 704, and Mrk 817. All objects show significant variability in both the continuum and emission-line fluxes. We use cross-correlation analysis to derive the sizes of the broad Hβ-emitting regions based on emission-line time delays, or lags. We successfully measure time delays for eight of the nine sources and find values ranging from about 2 weeks to a little over 2 months. Combining the measured lags and widths of the variable parts of the emission lines allows us to make virial mass estimates for the active nucleus in each galaxy. The virial masses are in the range 107-108 M☉.
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors used spectro- photometrically monitored Palomar-Green quasars in order to obtain mea- surements of their emission lines and investigate the relationship between quasar luminosity, central black hole mass, and broad emission-line regions (BLRs) size in AGNs.
Abstract: Correlated variations in the line and continuum emission from active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can be used to determine the size and geometry of the broad emission-line regions (BLRs). We have spectro- photometrically monitored a well-de—ned sample of 28 Palomar-Green quasars in order to obtain mea- surements of their BLRs and to investigate the relationships between quasar luminosity, central black hole mass, and BLR size in AGNs. Spectrophotometry was obtained every 1¨4 months for 7.5 yr, yield- ing 20¨70 observing epochs per object. Both the continuum and emission-line —uxes of all of the quasars were observed to change during the duration of the observing program. Seventeen of the 28 objects were observed with adequate sampling independent observing epochs) to search for correlated variations (Z20 between the Balmer emission lines and the continuum —ux. For each of these 17 objects, a signi—cant correlation was observed, with the Balmer-line variations lagging those of the continuum by D100 days (rest frame). Our work increases the available luminosity range for studying the size-mass-luminosity relations in AGNs by 2 orders of magnitude and doubles the number of objects suitable for such studies. Combining our results with comparable published data available for Seyfert 1 galaxies, we —nd the BLR size scales with the rest-frame 5100 luminosity as L0.70B0.03. This determination of the scaling of the Ae size of the BLR as a function of luminosity is signi—cantly diUerent from those previously published and suggests that the eUective ionization parameter in AGNs may be a decreasing function of luminosity. We are also able to constrain, subject to our assumption that gravity dominates the motions of the BLR gas, the scaling relationship between the mass of the central black holes and the luminosity in AGNs. We —nd that the central mass scales with 5100 luminosity as M P L0.5B0.1. This is inconsistent with all Ae AGNs having optical luminosity that is a constant fraction of the Eddington luminosity. Subject headings: galaxies: activequasars: emission linesquasars: general
2,119 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a reanalysis of broad emission-line reverberation-mapping data was carried out for 35 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) based on a complete and consistent reanalysis, and it was shown that the highest precision measure of the virial product cτΔV2/G is obtained by using the cross-correlation function centroid (cf.
Abstract: We present improved black hole masses for 35 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) based on a complete and consistent reanalysis of broad emission-line reverberation-mapping data From objects with multiple line measurements, we find that the highest precision measure of the virial product cτΔV2/G, where τ is the emission-line lag relative to continuum variations and ΔV is the emission-line width, is obtained by using the cross-correlation function centroid (as opposed to the cross-correlation function peak) for the time delay and the line dispersion (as opposed to FWHM) for the line width and by measuring the line width in the variable part of the spectrum Accurate line-width measurement depends critically on avoiding contaminating features, in particular the narrow components of the emission lines We find that the precision (or random component of the error) of reverberation-based black hole mass measurements is typically around 30%, comparable to the precision attained in measurement of black hole masses in quiescent galaxies by gas or stellar dynamical methods Based on results presented in a companion paper by Onken et al, we provide a zero-point calibration for the reverberation-based black hole mass scale by using the relationship between black hole mass and host-galaxy bulge velocity dispersion The scatter around this relationship implies that the typical systematic uncertainties in reverberation-based black hole masses are smaller than a factor of 3 We present a preliminary version of a mass-luminosity relationship that is much better defined than any previous attempt Scatter about the mass-luminosity relationship for these AGNs appears to be real and could be correlated with either Eddington ratio or object inclination
1,893 citations
Georgia State University1, Niels Bohr Institute2, Ohio State University3, University of California, Irvine4, University of Arizona5, California Polytechnic State University6, University of California, Riverside7, University of California, Berkeley8, Princeton University9, University of California, Los Angeles10, California Institute of Technology11, University of California, Santa Barbara12, Seoul National University13
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present an updated and revised analysis of the relationship between the H{beta} broadline region (BLR) radius and the luminosity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN).
Abstract: We present an updated and revised analysis of the relationship between the H{beta} broad-line region (BLR) radius and the luminosity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN). Specifically, we have carried out two-dimensional surface brightness decompositions of the host galaxies of nine new AGNs imaged with the Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3. The surface brightness decompositions allow us to create ''AGN-free'' images of the galaxies, from which we measure the starlight contribution to the optical luminosity measured through the ground-based spectroscopic aperture. We also incorporate 20 new reverberation-mapping measurements of the H{beta} time lag, which is assumed to yield the average H{beta} BLR radius. The final sample includes 41 AGNs covering four orders of magnitude in luminosity. The additions and updates incorporated here primarily affect the low-luminosity end of the R{sub BLR}-L relationship. The best fit to the relationship using a Bayesian analysis finds a slope of {alpha}= 0.533{sup +0.035}{sub -0.033}, consistent with previous work and with simple photoionization arguments. Only two AGNs appear to be outliers from the relationship, but both of them have monitoring light curves that raise doubt regarding the accuracy of their reported time lags. The scatter around the relationship is found to be 0.19more » {+-} 0.02 dex, but would be decreased to 0.13 dex by the removal of these two suspect measurements. A large fraction of the remaining scatter in the relationship is likely due to the inaccurate distances to the AGN host galaxies. Our results help support the possibility that the R{sub BLR}-L relationship could potentially be used to turn the BLRs of AGNs into standardizable candles. This would allow the cosmological expansion of the universe to be probed by a separate population of objects, and over a larger range of redshifts.« less
795 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the mass and emission-line region sizes of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can be measured by "reverberation-mapping" techniques, and these results can be used to calibrate similar determinations made by photoionization models of the AGN line-emitting regions.
Abstract: The masses and emission-line region sizes of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) can be measured by "reverberation-mapping" techniques, and we use these results to calibrate similar determinations made by photoionization models of the AGN line-emitting regions. Reverberation mapping uses the light travel-time delayed emission-line response to continuum variations to determine the size and kinematics of the emission-line region. We compile a sample of 17 Seyfert 1 galaxies and two quasars with reliable reverberation and spectroscopy data, twice the number available previously. The data provide strong evidence that the broad-line region (BLR) size (as measured by the lag of the emission-line luminosity after changes in the continuum) and the emission-line width measure directly the central mass: the virial assumption is tested with long-term UV and optical monitoring data on NGC 5548. Two methods are used to estimate the distance of the broad emission-line region from the ionizing source: the photoionization method (which is available for many AGNs but has large intrinsic uncertainties) and the reverberation method (which gives very reliable distances but is available for only a few objects). The distance estimate is combined with the velocity dispersion, derived from the broad Hβ line width (in the photoionization method) or from the variable part (rms) of the line profile, in the reverberation-rms method, to estimate the virial mass. Comparing the central masses calculated with the reverberation-rms method to those calculated using a photoionization model, we find a highly significant, nearly linear correlation. This provides a calibration of the photoionization method on the objects with presently available reverberation data, which should enable mass estimates for all AGNs with measured Hβ line width. We find that the correlation between the masses is significantly better than the correlation between the corresponding BLR sizes calculated by the two methods, which further supports the conclusion that both methods measure the mass of the central black hole . Comparing the BLR sizes given by the two methods also enables us to estimate the ionizing EUV luminosity Lion, which is not directly observable. Typically it is 10 times the monochromatic luminosity at 5100 A (Lv). The Eddington ratio for the objects in our sample is in the range Lv/LEdd ~ 0.001-0.03 and Lion/LEdd ≈ 0.01-0.3.
734 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope images of all 35 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with optical reverberation-mapping results, which they have modeled to create a nucleus-free image of each AGN host galaxy.
Abstract: We present high-resolution Hubble Space Telescope images of all 35 active galactic nuclei (AGNs) with optical reverberation-mapping results, which we have modeled to create a nucleus-free image of each AGN host galaxy. From the nucleus-free images, we determine the host-galaxy contribution to ground-based spectroscopic luminosity measurements at 5100 A. After correcting the luminosities of the AGNs for the contribution from starlight, we re-examine the Hβ R BLR-L relationship. Our best fit for the relationship gives a power-law slope of 0.52 with a range of 0.45-0.59 allowed by the uncertainties. This is consistent with our previous findings, and thus still consistent with the naive assumption that all AGNs are simply luminosity-scaled versions of each other. We discuss various consistency checks relating to the galaxy modeling and starlight contributions, as well as possible systematic errors in the current set of reverberation measurements from which we determine the form of the R BLR-L relationship.
646 citations
References
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TL;DR: In this article, 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.
Abstract: 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.
1,139 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a procedure is described for analyzing a time series of measurements of both the continuum and the emission lines, and it is shown that if the emission line region has a high degree of symmetry, then it is possible to invert the time-dependent line profiles and obtain the phase space distribution of the emission-line gas.
Abstract: Variations in the strengths of the central photoionization source in a quasar or Seyfert galaxy will generate variations in the strengths and profiles of the emission lines. These ''reverberations'' in the emission lines will lag behind the continuum variations due to light travel time effects. A procedure is described for analyzing a time series of measurements of both the continuum and the lines. This procedure permits direct verification of the assumed causal connection of the lines to the continuum. We demonstrate that if the emission line region has a high degree of symmetry, then it is possible to invert the time-dependent line profiles and obtain the phase space distribution of the emission-line gas: i.e., its emissivity and the moments of its velocity distributions as functions of position. The cases of spherical and disk symmetry are considered in detail; the case of a straight jet, which may be relevent to correlated optical and radio variations, is discussed briefly. Explicit calculations of expected line variations have been carried out for several simple models. We suggest that with recently developed instrumentation it should now be possible to apply this technique to Seyfert galaxies. Long term, highly accurate observations will be required for themore » application to quasars.« less
1,034 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors discuss progress in application of the reverberation mapping technique and describe the underlying assumptions and limitations of the method, discuss how the results obtained to date are changing our understanding of active nuclei, and outline several new questions that might be addressed through further reverberational mapping programs.
Abstract: The broad emission lines in the spectra of active galactic nuclei respond to variations in the luminosity of the central continuum source with a delay due to light-travel time effects within the emission-line region. It is therefore possible through the process of 'reverberation mapping' to determine the geometry and kinematics of the emission-line region by careful monitoring of the continuum variations and the resulting emission-line response. In this review, I will discuss progress in application of the reverberation mapping technique. I will describe the underlying assumptions and limitations of the method, discuss how the results obtained to date are changing our understanding of active nuclei, and outline several new questions that might be addressed through further reverberation mapping programs.
973 citations
Computer Sciences Corporation1, Johns Hopkins University2, University of California, Los Angeles3, Tel Aviv University4, Ohio State University5, Sapienza University of Rome6, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory7, Autonomous University of Madrid8, University of California, Berkeley9, University of Michigan10, Western Kentucky University11, Columbia University12, Space Telescope Science Institute13, University of Toronto14, Max Planck Society15, Bowling Green State University16, University College London17, Complutense University of Madrid18, University of California, San Diego19, Agnes Scott College20, University of Arizona21, Goddard Space Flight Center22, European Southern Observatory23, Uppsala University24, University of Alabama25
TL;DR: In this paper, an 8-month campaign of monitoring NGC 5548 with IUE is described, with the goal of determining the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei.
Abstract: This is an electronic version of an article published in The Astrophysical Journal. Clavel, J. et al. Steps toward determination of the size and structure of the broad-line region in active galactic nuclei. I. An 8 month campaign of monitoring NGC 5548 with IUE. The Astrophysical Journal 366 (1991): 64-81
396 citations