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Cited by 67Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, PhenomenaAstrophysical Phenomena and ObservationsStellar, planetary, and galactic studies

Long-Term Variability of Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasars

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de Vries, W. H., Becker, R. H., White, R. L.·2003·The Astronomical Journal
DOI 10.1086/377486
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Abstract

We use a sample of 3791 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Early Data Release (EDR), and compare their photometry to historic plate material for the same set of quasars in order to study their variability properties. The time base-line we attain this way ranges from a few months to up to 50 years. In contrast to monitoring programs, where relatively few quasars are photometrically measured over shorter time periods, we utilize existing databases to extend this base-line as much as possible, at the cost of sampling per quasar. Our method, however, can easily be extended to much larger samples. We construct variability Structure Functions and compare these to the literature and model functions. From our modeling we conclude that 1) quasars are more variable toward shorter wavelengths, 2) their variability is consistent with an exponentially decaying light-curve with a typical time-scale of ~2 years, 3) these outbursts occur on typical time-scales of ~200 years. With the upcoming first data release of the SDSS, a much larger quasar sample can be used to put these conclusions on a more secure footing.

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  • LSST will enable studies of quasar variability using accurate multicolor light curves for a few million quasars, constraining accretion physics and nuclear environments.

    “A study of quasar variability using accurate, multicolor light curves for a few million quasars, leading to constraints on the accretion physics and nuclear environments”

    From LSST: From Science Drivers to Reference Design and Anticipated Data Products (2019) · cites this paper as de Vries et al. 2003

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Authors
de Vries, W. H., Becker, R. H., & White, R. L.
ORCID
Becker, R. H.
Venue
The Astronomical Journal
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Published
2003-09
Volume
126
Issue
3
Pages
1217-1226
ISSN
  • 0004-6256 (ISSN-L)
  • 1538-3881
DOI
10.1086/377486
OpenAlex
W2155343932
Cited by
67
References
32
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 1 · 2012: 2
FWCI
3.47
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • The Astronomical Journal (publishedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • CERN Document Server (European Organization for Nuclear Research) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations
  • Physical Sciences › Physics and Astronomy › Astronomy and Astrophysics › Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies
Keywords
quasar variability, long-term variability, quasar outbursts, SDSS quasar sample

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