SUMMARY OF PROPOSAL 82123

DR. KAREN MARIE LEIGHLY
LEIGHLY@ASTRO.COLUMBIA.EDU

COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
550 WEST 120TH STREET
NEW YORK
NY USA 10027
Tel: 212-854-6892 Fax: 212-854-8121
Medium: CD ROM
Subject: AGN

THE MOST EXTREMELY VARIABLE AGN: IRAS 13224-3809


ABSTRACT

X-ray variability is a defining characteristic of AGN; however, we still don't understanding why they vary. It has been shown that the AGN subclass known as Narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies (NLS1s) show higher amplitude variability than other Seyferts, a fact that compounds the mystery. The opportunity for long continuous ASCA observations provides the potential for a significant breakthrough in our understanding. We propose a three-week observation of IRAS 13224-3809, an object that shows extreme spectral and variability properties even for an NLS1. Timing and spectral analysis will focus on a search for a characteristic time scale, light curve modeling, tests for nonlinear variability, and spectral variability studies of this enigmatic object.

CO-INVESTIGATORS
CO-I NAME INSTITUTE COUNTRY
JULES HALPERNCOLUMBIA UNIVERSITYUSA

TARGETS

TARGET NAMEPRIRADECTIMETCOFFGISSIS CNTOBS
1)IRAS 13224-3809
A
201.3304-38.4147
500 ks
N
N
P
0.20000
1