The I Zw 1 type AGN: busy in X-rays but optically quiet

A sub-class of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with exceptionally strong Fe II emission lines named after the prototype I Zw 1 show high variability in X-rays. Despite this, and in contrast with many other Seyferts, variations in the optical are comparatively small. I have collected Las Cumbres Observatory robotic telescope network BVugr photometry of 19 I Zw 1 type AGN over 2-3 years and can compare their optical variability to that of other sub-classes of AGN. The study confirms that on average the relative optical luminosity fluctuations of I Zw 1 type AGN are significantly smaller. Possible physical interpretations of this result are explored.

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Publication Details

Published
2025-12-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.22323/1.514.0001
Primary Topic
Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.00

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article

The I Zw 1 type AGN: busy in X-rays but optically quiet

Hartmut Winkler
Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
article

The I Zw 1 type AGN: busy in X-rays but optically quiet

Hartmut Winkler
article en

Abstract

A sub-class of narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies with exceptionally strong Fe II emission lines named after the prototype I Zw 1 show high variability in X-rays. Despite this, and in contrast with many other Seyferts, variations in the optical are comparatively small. I have collected Las Cumbres Observatory robotic telescope network BVugr photometry of 19 I Zw 1 type AGN over 2-3 years and can compare their optical variability to that of other sub-classes of AGN. The study confirms that on average the relative optical luminosity fluctuations of I Zw 1 type AGN are significantly smaller. Possible physical interpretations of this result are explored.

National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, California Institute of Technology
Openalex Percentile: Top 74%
Galaxies: Formation, Evolution, Phenomena
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