A new search for variability-selected active galaxies within the VST SUDARE-VOICE survey: the Chandra Deep Field South and the SERVS-SWIRE area

TL;DR

This study utilizes VST observations, IR photometry, SED fitting, and X-ray data to identify and confirm active galactic nuclei (AGN) candidates through variability and IR color selection in the Chandra Deep Field South and surrounding areas.

Contribution

It introduces a combined approach of variability, IR, and X-ray data to improve AGN detection and confirmation in deep survey fields.

Findings

Variability selection aligns with IR color criteria for AGN identification.

Variability helps detect AGN in IR-selected starburst galaxies.

The method confirms the effectiveness of multi-wavelength data in AGN surveys.

Abstract

This work makes use of the VST observations to select variable sources. We use also the IR photometry, SED fitting and X-ray information where available to confirm the nature of the AGN candidates. The IR data, available over the full survey area, allow to confirm the consistency of the variability selection with the IR color selection method, while the detection of variability may prove useful to detect the presence of an AGN in IR selected starburst galaxies.