Three Cases of Optical Periodic Modulation in Active Galactic Nuclei

TL;DR

This paper reports the discovery of optical periodic modulations in three active galactic nuclei using archival survey data, discusses their possible origins in super-massive black-hole binaries, and analyzes multi-wavelength variability.

Contribution

It presents the first identification of optical periodicities in three AGNs and explores their potential connection to super-massive black-hole binary systems.

Findings

Periodicities of 2169.7, 2103.1, and 1462.6 days identified in three AGNs.

Mid-infrared light curves show variability not related to optical periodicities.

Possible additional 162-day periodicity and X-ray correlation discussed.

Abstract

We report on the case of optical periodic modulation discovered in two Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and one candidate AGN. Analyzing the archival optical data obtained from large transient surveys, namely the Catalina Real-Transient Survey (CRTS) and the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF), we find periodicities of 2169.7, 2103.1, and 1462.6\,day in sources J0122+1032, J1007+1248 (or PG~1004+1248), and J2131$-$1127, respectively. The optical spectra of the first two indicate that the first is likely a blazar and the second a type 1 Seyfert galaxy, and while no spectroscopic information is available for the third one, its overall properties suggest that it is likely an AGN. In addition, mid-infrared (MIR) light curve data of the three sources, taken by the Wide-field InfraredSurvey Explorer (WISE), are also analyzed. The light curves show significant variations, but not appearing related to the optical periodicities. Based on the widely-discussed super-massive black-hole binary (SMBHB) scenario, we discuss the origin of the optical modulation. Two possible interesting features, an additional 162-day short optical periodicity in J2131$-$1127 and the consistency the X-ray flux variations of J1007+1248 with its optical periodicity, are also discussed within the SMBHB scenario.