The Variability of a Large Sample of Quasars
Abstract
The variability properties of a sample of approximately 300 quasars near the South Galactic Pole (SGP) have been studied. Quasars of high luminosity show significantly less variation than those with low luminosity. A similar, though much weaker, trend with redshift was found, lower redshift quasars varying proportionally more than high redshift quasars. The observed trends are a consequence of an intrinsic dependence of quasar variability on luminosity combined with the effects of time-dilation and have strong implications for quasar samples selected solely on variability.
- Publication:
-
The Space Distribution of Quasars
- Pub Date:
- 1991
- Bibcode:
- 1991ASPC...21...67H
- Keywords:
-
- Quasars;
- Statistical Analysis;
- Stellar Luminosity;
- Stellar Magnitude;
- Variable Stars;
- Active Galactic Nuclei;
- Astronomical Photometry;
- Periodic Variations;
- Red Shift;
- Astrophysics