Blazar Microvariations
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Date
2009-04-20
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Vanderbilt University. Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
Abstract
In November 2006, the authors collected data on blazars PKS 0537-441, PKS
0447-439, and PKS 0208-5121 from the Cerra Tololo Inter-American Observatory in
Chile. All three blazars are tested for microvariability, first by comparing
relative magnitudes against unvarying stars, then through power spectrum
analysis. The authors used GNU Scientific Library tools for the Fourier
transforms needed for power spectrum analysis.
Fourier transforms break down data into series of periodic functions. Running
power spectra quantitatively illuminate periodicity and variability in data.
The authors tested power spectra by using well-defined functions to better
understand power spectra analysis. Through light curve analysis and power
spectra analysis, the authors found PKS 0537-441 showed microvariability, PKS
0208-512 most likely did not show microvariability, and PKS 0447-439 did not
show microvariability.
Description
Honors in Astronomy
Keywords
Blazar, PKS 0537-441, PKS 0447-439, PKS 0208-512, Microvariability, Microvariations, Power spectra, Quasar, Blazars