New Perspectives on AGN Variability
Abstract
AGN show strong, persistent X-ray variability down to the shortest measurable time scales. EXOSAT observations showed that the power spectra were generally featureless, and had a ``red noise'' character in the 10(-3}-10({-5)) Hz range. Variations on longer time scales are known to exist, but have never been examined in great detail due to a lack of appropriate data. RXTE has ushered in a new era of X-ray variability studies, in part due to its very liberal viewing constraints. For the first time, well-sampled light curves are being assembled on weeks-years time scales, allowing a search for characteristic features in the power spectra. Sympathetic scheduling has also enabled a number of large, multi-waveband variability campaigns to be coordinated. The results and implications of these observations will be discussed.
- Publication:
-
American Astronomical Society Meeting Abstracts #192
- Pub Date:
- May 1998
- Bibcode:
- 1998AAS...192.3204N