Abstract

Contributed Talk - Splinter AGN

Friday, 11 September 2026, 14:00   (MW-1250)

Introduction: AGN Variability as a Probe of the Central Engine.

Francisco Pozo Nunez, Jochen Heidt
Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Studies (HITS), Landessternwarte, Zentrum für Astronomie der Universität Heidelberg

Active Galactic Nuclei exhibit variability across the electromagnetic spectrum and over a wide range of timescales. This variability provides a powerful means of probing the otherwise unresolved regions surrounding supermassive black holes, including the accretion disk, broad-line region, and dusty environment. At the same time, the stochastic character of AGN light curves, the physical origin of variability, and the interpretation of measured time delays remain subjects of active debate. These opening remarks will introduce the scientific motivation and scope of the splinter session, highlighting the role of multi-wavelength time-domain observations in constraining AGN structure and accretion physics across luminosity and redshift.