Research Seminars @ Illinois

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Tailored for undergraduate researchers, this calendar is a curated list of research seminars at the University of Illinois. Explore the diverse world of research and expand your knowledge through engaging sessions designed to inspire and enlighten.

To have your events added or removed from this calendar, please contact OUR at ugresearch@illinois.edu

CAPS Seminar: Catching Changing-Look AGN Transitions with the Zwicky Transient Facility

Event Type: Seminar/Symposium
Sponsor: Center for AstroPhysical Surveys
Location: NCSA - 1205 W Clark St, Urbana - RM 1040
Virtual: Join online
Date: Jul 11, 2025 12:30 - 1:00 pm
Speaker: Margaret Verrico
Contact: Cynthia Trendafilova
E-Mail: ctrendaf@illinois.edu
Originating Calendar: Center for AstroPhysical Surveys; Speaker: Margaret Verrico
Date/Time: July 11, 2025 / 12:30pm central.
Location: NCSA 1040
Zoom: https://illinois.zoom.us/j/82318062756?pwd=M3g1MFF6cytsOWFEbmU0UW1XWVoxQT09
Title: Catching Changing-Look AGN Transitions with the Zwicky Transient Facility
Abstract: Changing-Look AGN (CL-AGN) are AGN which gain or lose broad line emission on timescales less than a decade. Most CL-AGN have been discovered serendipitously in SDSS spectroscopy, making it difficult to determine the timescale and magnitude of the CL-AGN transition. As such, the physical mechanisms behind this transition are still unknown. I present new work measuring the timescale and magnitude of photometric variability in ZTF light curves for known CL-AGN. I find that CL-AGN transitions usually occur on timescales of about a year and can be distinguished from normal AGN variability by the change in their g-band magnitudes. I also present six Seyfert 1 AGN which are candidates for CL-AGN transitions.

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