Photometric Reverberation Mapping with a Small Aperture Telescope

RM 216

We present photometric observations of a sample of bright, broad-line active galactic nuclei (AGNs) in order to monitor variability and verify their black hole masses using the photometric reverberation mapping technique. Observations were taken, primarily remotely, using the 20-inch telescope at the Murillo Family Observatory, a campus-based observatory located on the outskirts of the Southern California metro area, in both monitored and automated mode nightly in BVRI over a period of 2-5 months. We will show the viability of such a technique for small-aperture telescopes in bright-sky locations and discuss the possibilities of extending this program in he future. We also note that undergraduate students (both from 4-year and community colleges) have been and will continue to be instrumental in the success of similar research programs at CSUSB.