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B. O. Nelson (Spitzer Science Center), M. A. Malkan (UCLA)
Simultaneous optical-infrared monitoring of the Seyfert galaxy Markarian 335 with the YALO telescope at Cerro Tololo has revealed a clear signature of thermal dust reverberation. Photometry relative to field stars was obtained in V and K bands every 5 days on average from August 2000 through December 2001. The 0.4 mag variability shown at V is mirrored by a delayed and broadened response at K with a lag time of ~ 100 days as determined by cross-correlation analysis. A simple consistency check holds up: dust residing at a distance of 100 light-days from the central engine is heated to near the maximum possible temperature for graphite grains. Thus Mrk 335 joins the ranks of the handful other AGN for which infrared lag times consistent with thermal dust reprocessing have been measured.
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Bulletin of the American Astronomical Society, 36 #2
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