The Variability of Seyfert 1.8 and 1.9 Galaxies at 1.6 Microns

Abstract

We present a study of Seyfert 1.5-2.0 galaxies observed at two epochs with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) at 1.6 μm. We find that unresolved nuclear emission from nine of 14 nuclei varies at the level of 10%-40% on timescales of 0.7-14 months, depending upon the galaxy. A control sample of Seyfert galaxies lacking unresolved sources and galaxies lacking Seyfert nuclei show less than 3% instrumental variation in equivalent aperture measurements. This proves that the unresolved sources are nonstellar and associated with the central parsecs of active galactic nuclei. Unresolved sources in Seyfert 1.8 and 1.9 galaxies are not usually detected in HST optical surveys; however, high angular resolution infrared observations will provide a way to measure time delays in these galaxies.