Variability of NGC 5543: The continuum

Rodriguezpascual, P. M.; Wamsteker, W.; Netzer, H.; Wills, B.
Bibliographical reference

In its Proceedings of the Celebratory Symposium on a Decade of UV Astronomy with the IUE Satellite, Volume 2 p 311-314 (SEE N89-16535 08-89)

Advertised on:
6
1988
Number of authors
4
IAC number of authors
0
Citations
3
Refereed citations
3
Description
Simultaneous UV and optical variations of NGC 5548 suggest a common origin of the continuum flux at both ranges. If the bulk of the UV flux had a black body like shape, its optical contribution would be too low to account for the observed variations, and a connection between UV and FIR changes would be needed, which is not observed. However, a flat (alpha = -0.5) UV power-law is sufficient to reproduce the simultaneous changes in the UV and optical fluxes, and gives the correct F(5500)/F(1350) ratio. Although the data are not conclusive, the shape of the UV-optical continuum seems to change only slightly from the faintest to the brightest states.