Intranight optical variability of radio-quiet weak emission line quasars

Abstract

Based on a recently started programme, we report the first search for intranight optical variabil- ity (INOV) among radio-quiet ‘weak-line-quasars’ (RQWLQs). Eight members of this class were observed on 13 nights in the R band, such that each source was monitored continuously at least once for a minimum duration of about 3.5 h, using the recently installed 130-cm telescope at Devasthal, India. Statistical analysis of the differential light curves was carried out using two versions of the F test. Based on the INOV data acquired so far, the RQWLQ population appears to exhibit stronger INOV activity as compared to the general population of radio-quiet quasars, but similar to the INOV known for radio-loud quasars of non-blazar type. To improve upon this early result, as well as extend the comparison to blazars, a factor of ∼2 improvement in the INOV detection threshold would be needed. Such efforts are underway, motivated by the objective to search for the elusive radio-quiet blazars using INOV observations.