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X-Ray Variability in Active Galactic Nuclei

Two Things That Everybody Should Know

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Highlights of Astronomy

Part of the book series: International Astronomical Union / Union Astronomique Internationale ((IAUH,volume 11B))

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Abstract

X-ray variability is a distinguishing property of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN), and the energetics and time scales of the emission dictate that the X-rays must originate very close to the central engine. In this review I discuss two basic topics from AGN variability research. The first is the correlation of the variability time scale with the X-ray luminosity, and the second is the structure of the X-ray light curve. In each case, I first review the old results that have been known for approximately the last 10 years and then I discuss very new results which may force us to modify our ideas about the origin of AGN X-ray variability. Note that I am discussing the variability of non-blazar type AGN.

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J. Andersen (General Secretary of the Union)

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

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Leighly, K.M. (1998). X-Ray Variability in Active Galactic Nuclei. In: Andersen, J. (eds) Highlights of Astronomy. International Astronomical Union / Union Astronomique Internationale, vol 11B. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4778-1_61

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-4778-1_61

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-7923-5556-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-4778-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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