Search for Very Fast Variability in AGN Radio Light Curves

  • Published : 2013.10.08

Abstract

AGN are known for irregular variability on all time scales, down to intra-day variability with relative variations of a few percent within minutes to hours. In the shortest time scale of AGN activity, unexplored territory still exists: first, the existence of a shortest time scale of AGN activity and secondly the shape of high frequency end of AGN power spectrum. Also the spectral variations at the shortest timescale. Here, we present the preliminary results of AGN fast photometry performed with Korean VLBI Network(KVN). Observations were done in a 'anti-correlated' mode using two antennas, with always either one antenna pointing at the target. This results in an effective time resolution of 3 minutes. We used all four KVN frequencies, 22, 43, 86, and 129 GHz, in order to trace spectral variability. We have been able to derive high-quality light curves for 3C111 and 3C279 at 22 and 86 GHz observed on 31st of May and 30th of Nov. in 2012. We are currently performing detailed statistical analysis in order to assess the levels of variability or the corresponding upper limits.

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