A Study of the High-Luminosity Quasar HS 1946+7658

TL;DR

This study investigates the intra-night optical and X-ray variability of the quasar HS 1946+7658, finding no optical variability over 11 hours and inconclusive X-ray variability results, while also calibrating secondary standard stars.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed intra-night variability analysis of HS 1946+7658 and calibrates secondary standard stars for future observations.

Findings

No optical variability detected during 11 hours of monitoring.

X-ray variability results are inconclusive due to statistical analysis controversy.

Calibrated Johnson-Cousins magnitudes for 7 field stars.

Abstract

We study the variability of the quasar HS 1946+7658 on intra-night time scale based on both our own optical and archival X-ray data. We find the quasar non-variable during about 11 hours of optical monitoring. This is in accordance with the low intra-night variability duty cycle of radio-quiet quasars. Regarding the X-rays, we cannot make a firm conclusion about the quasar variability owing to the controversial results of the light curves statistical analysis. In addition, we calibrated Johnson-Cousins $BVRI$ magnitudes of 7 field stars that are to be used as secondary standards.