AGN watch continuum monitoring of radio-quiet and radio-loud AGN

Abstract

The International AGN Watch has monitored a number of radio-quiet and radio-loud Active Galactic Nuclei - the most luminous objects in the universe. We present a review of the main observational results from the continuum monitoring campaigns, concentrating on those which aim to quantify the simultaneous ultraviolet to X-ray variability characteristics. These data provide strong constraints on the proposed continuum emission mechanisms. The AGN Watch campaigns have made extensive use of a wide variety of both ground- and space-based multi-waveband observational facilities, and we stress that long-term simultaneous access to the entire electromagnetic spectrum is essential if further progress is to be made.