| Title: |
Long-term NIR Variability in the UKIDSS Ultra Deep Survey: a new probe of AGN activity at high redshift |
| Authors: |
Elmer, E.; Almaini, O.; Merrifield, M.; Hartley, W. G.; Maltby, D. T.; Lawrence, A.; Botti, I.; Hirst, P. |
| Publication Year: |
2020 |
| Collection: |
Astrophysics |
| Subject Terms: |
Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies |
| Description: |
We present the first attempt to select AGN using long-term NIR variability. By analysing the K-band light curves of all the galaxies in the UKIDSS Ultra Deep Survey, the deepest NIR survey over ~1 sq degree, we have isolated 393 variable AGN candidates. A comparison to other selection techniques shows that only half of the variable sources are also selected using either deep Chandra X-ray imaging or IRAC colour selection, suggesting that using NIR variability can locate AGN that are missed by more standard selection techniques. In particular, we find that long-term NIR variability identifies AGN at low luminosities and in host galaxies with low stellar masses, many of which appear relatively X-ray quiet.; Comment: 12 pages, 18 figures, accepted for publication in MNRAS, an error in Equation 1 has been fixed in this version |
| Document Type: |
Working Paper |
| DOI: |
10.1093/mnras/staa381 |
| Access URL: |
http://arxiv.org/abs/2002.02468 |
| Accession Number: |
edsarx.2002.02468 |
| Database: |
arXiv |