An optically violent variable quasar (often abbreviated as OVV quasar) is a type of highly variable quasar. It is a subtype of blazar that consists of a few rare, bright radio galaxies, whose visible light output can change by 50% in a day.[2] OVV quasars have essentially become unified with highly polarized quasars (HPQ), core-dominated quasars (CDQ), and flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQ).[3] Different terms are used but the term FSRQ is gaining popularity effectively making the other terms archaic.

Artist's impression of the optically violent variable quasar 3C 279.[1]

At visible wavelengths, they are similar in appearance to BL Lac objects but generally have stronger broad emission lines.

Examples

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References

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  1. ^ "APEX takes part in sharpest observation ever". ESO Press Release. Retrieved 18 July 2012.
  2. ^ Darling, David J. (2004). The universal book of astronomy: from the Andromeda Galaxy to the zone of avoidance. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. ISBN 978-0-471-26569-6.
  3. ^ Urry, C. Megan; Padovani, Paolo (September 1995). "Unified Schemes for Radio-Loud Active Galactic Nuclei". Publications of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific. 107: 803. arXiv:astro-ph/9506063. Bibcode:1995PASP..107..803U. doi:10.1086/133630. S2CID 17198955.