The Unusual Ultraviolet Variability of the QSO 3C 232

Authors

C. Bruhweilier, Catholic University of America
Menas Kafatos, Chapman UniversityFollow
U. J. Sofia, Magruder High School

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1986

Abstract

After examining ultraviolet IUE spectra of 18 QSOs with z > 0.35, we find that one object, 3C 232 (z = 0.533), stands out as exhibiting highly unusual spectral and continuum variability. The H 1-Lya shows at least 50% variability on a time scale of roughly a month, while the ultraviolet continuum exhibited approximately a factor of 2 decrease in a day. The magnitude of the UV continuum variability is reminiscent of that seen in the optically violent variables at visual wavelengths. Several spectral features at wavelengths shortward of H I-Lya in the rest frame are identified. A brief discussion COJ?lparing the spectrum of 3C 232 with those of other QSOs in our IUE sample at wavelengths shortward of 1216 A is also presented.

Comments

This article was originally published in Astrophysical Journal, volume 303, in 1986. DOI: 10.1086/184647

Recommended Citation

Bruhweiler, F.C., Kafatos, M., Sofia, U.J. (1986) The Unusual Ultraviolet Variability of the QSO 3C 232, The Astrophysical Journal, 303: L31-L35. doi: 10.1086/184647

Peer Reviewed

1

Copyright

IOP Publishing