Continuum reverberation mapping of MCG 08-11-011

Aims. We report the results from a photometric reverberation mapping campaign carried out with the C18 telescope at the Wise Observatory from 2019 to 2020, targeting the active galactic nucleus (AGN) MCG 08-11-011. The monitoring was conducted on a daily basis with specially designed narrow-band filters, spanning from optical to near-infrared wavelengths (similar to 4000 to 8000 angstrom) and avoiding prominent broad emission lines. We aim to measure inter-band continuum time lags, determine the size-wavelength relation, and estimate the host-subtracted AGN luminosity for this system. Methods. We used the point-spread function photometry to extract the continuum light curves and measure the inter-band time lags using several methods, including the interpolated cross-correlation function, the z-transformed discrete correlation function, a von Neumann estimator, JAVELIN (in spectroscopic and photometric mode), MICA, and a multivariate correlation function. Results. We find wavelength-dependent lags, tau(lambda), up to similar to 7 days between the multiband light curves of MCG 08-11-011. The observed lags are larger than predictions based on standard thin-disk theory by a factor of similar to 3-7. We discern a significantly steeper (tau proportional to lambda(4.74)) size-wavelength relation than the tau proportional to lambda(4/3) expected for a geometrically thin and optically thick accretion disk, which may result from the contribution of diffuse continuum emission to the flux. These results are similar to those found by previous continuum reverberation mapping campaigns.

Automated summary

This study conducted a year-long photometric reverberation mapping campaign targeting the active galactic nucleus (AGN) MCG 08-11-011 using the C18 telescope at the Wise Observatory. The aims were to measure inter-band continuum time lags, determine the size-wavelength relation, and estimate the host-subtracted AGN luminosity. Various methods, including the interpolated cross-correlation function and JAVELIN, were used to measure the inter-band time lags. The results showed wavelength-dependent lags and a steeper size-wavelength relation than expected, possibly due to the contribution of diffuse continuum emission.