The X-ray variability properties of PG quasars: XMM-Newton results

Abstract

This paper presents preliminary results of a systematic study on the X-ray spectral variability of PG quasars with XMM-Newton. We concentrate on those objects, whose X-ray spectra are well fit in the framework of the ``double Comptonization'' model. On short (<1000 seconds) timescales, variability between the soft (E<2 keV) and the hard (E>2 keV) bands is uncorrelated. In the two objects, for which observations at different epochs are available, spectral variability in the soft X-ray regime is unveiled. Its timescale is constrained in the range between ~1 week and ~1 year.

4 pages, 4 figures, contribution to the proceedings of the conference: "AGN Variability from X-rays to Radio Waves", C.M.Gaskell, I.M.McHardy, B.M.Peterson, S.G.Sergeev eds., ASP