Mid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies

We utilized multiepoch archival data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to compare the variability at 3.4 μ m (W1 band) and 4.6 μ m (W2 band) of broad-line Seyfert 1 (BLSy1) galaxies and narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxies by employing the ensemble structure function (SF). Additionally,...

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Main Authors: Zhipeng Hu, Lisheng Mao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IOP Publishing 2025-01-01
Series:The Astrophysical Journal
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adcabb
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author Zhipeng Hu
Lisheng Mao
author_facet Zhipeng Hu
Lisheng Mao
author_sort Zhipeng Hu
collection DOAJ
description We utilized multiepoch archival data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to compare the variability at 3.4 μ m (W1 band) and 4.6 μ m (W2 band) of broad-line Seyfert 1 (BLSy1) galaxies and narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxies by employing the ensemble structure function (SF). Additionally, we investigated the dependence of mid-infrared (MIR) ensemble SF on common active galactic nucleus parameters. The main results are as follows. (1) The ensemble SF of BLSy1 galaxies is larger than that of NLSy1 galaxies at long rest-frame time lags. (2) The ensemble SFs of BLSy1 galaxies, NLSy1 galaxies, and the combined sample are negatively correlated with the 5100 Å luminosity. The single power-law slope of the ensemble SF is proportional to luminosity. (3) The ensemble SFs of BLSy1 galaxies, NLSy1 galaxies, and the combined sample are negatively correlated with the Eddington ratio and the intensity of the Fe ii emission line. The MIR variability of the combined sample is positively correlated with black hole mass and the FWHM of the H β emission line at long rest-frame time lags. (4) The long-term MIR variability of the combined sample may be mainly driven by the Eddington ratio. (5) For BLSy1 galaxies, the MIR variability of radio-detected sources is greater than that of radio-undetected sources, whereas for NLSy1 galaxies, the opposite is true.
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spelling doaj-art-4b7e633bbc4245c19cc47f7f3acc5a3d2025-08-20T01:50:07ZengIOP PublishingThe Astrophysical Journal1538-43572025-01-0198517010.3847/1538-4357/adcabbMid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 GalaxiesZhipeng Hu0https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4561-9277Lisheng Mao1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2720-3604Department of Physics, Yunnan Normal University , Kunming 650500, People’s Republic of China ; maolisheng@ynnu.edu.cnDepartment of Physics, Yunnan Normal University , Kunming 650500, People’s Republic of China ; maolisheng@ynnu.edu.cnWe utilized multiepoch archival data from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer to compare the variability at 3.4 μ m (W1 band) and 4.6 μ m (W2 band) of broad-line Seyfert 1 (BLSy1) galaxies and narrow-line Seyfert 1 (NLSy1) galaxies by employing the ensemble structure function (SF). Additionally, we investigated the dependence of mid-infrared (MIR) ensemble SF on common active galactic nucleus parameters. The main results are as follows. (1) The ensemble SF of BLSy1 galaxies is larger than that of NLSy1 galaxies at long rest-frame time lags. (2) The ensemble SFs of BLSy1 galaxies, NLSy1 galaxies, and the combined sample are negatively correlated with the 5100 Å luminosity. The single power-law slope of the ensemble SF is proportional to luminosity. (3) The ensemble SFs of BLSy1 galaxies, NLSy1 galaxies, and the combined sample are negatively correlated with the Eddington ratio and the intensity of the Fe ii emission line. The MIR variability of the combined sample is positively correlated with black hole mass and the FWHM of the H β emission line at long rest-frame time lags. (4) The long-term MIR variability of the combined sample may be mainly driven by the Eddington ratio. (5) For BLSy1 galaxies, the MIR variability of radio-detected sources is greater than that of radio-undetected sources, whereas for NLSy1 galaxies, the opposite is true.https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adcabbActive galactic nucleiSeyfert galaxiesInfrared Astronomical SatelliteInfrared photometry
spellingShingle Zhipeng Hu
Lisheng Mao
Mid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
The Astrophysical Journal
Active galactic nuclei
Seyfert galaxies
Infrared Astronomical Satellite
Infrared photometry
title Mid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
title_full Mid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
title_fullStr Mid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
title_full_unstemmed Mid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
title_short Mid-infrared Ensemble Variability of Broad-line and Narrow-line Seyfert 1 Galaxies
title_sort mid infrared ensemble variability of broad line and narrow line seyfert 1 galaxies
topic Active galactic nuclei
Seyfert galaxies
Infrared Astronomical Satellite
Infrared photometry
url https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/adcabb
work_keys_str_mv AT zhipenghu midinfraredensemblevariabilityofbroadlineandnarrowlineseyfert1galaxies
AT lishengmao midinfraredensemblevariabilityofbroadlineandnarrowlineseyfert1galaxies