|
Description
We have monitored the AGN 3C 390.3 between 1995 and 2000. A historical B-band light curve dating back to 1966 shows a large increase in brightness during 1970-1971, followed by a gradual decrease down to a minimum in 1982. During the 1995-2000 lapse the broad H{beta} emission and the continuum flux varied by a factor of ~3. Two large amplitude outbursts, of different duration, in continuum and light were observed i.e.: in October 1994 a brighter flare that lasted ~1000 days and in July 1997 another one that lasted ~700 days were detected. The response time lag of the emission lines relative to flux changes of the continuum has been found to vary with time i.e. during 1995-1997 a lag of about 100 days is evident, while during 1998-1999 a double valued lag of ~100 days and ~35 days is present in our data. The flux in the H{beta} wings and line core vary simultaneously, a behavior indicative of predominantly circular motions in the broad line region. Important changes of the H{beta} emission profiles were detected: at times, we found profiles with prominent asymmetric wings, like those normaly seen in Sy1s, while at other times, we observe profiles with weak, almost symmetrical wings, similar to those of Sy1.8s.
|
