Broad-line variability in NGC 3783

Abstract

New intermediate-resolution optical spectrophotometry of the nucleus of the southern Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 3783 is presented. These data demonstrate that the nucleus was in a very luminous state in May, 1983 manifested through considerably enhanced broad-line and optical continuum emission compared to the quiescent state evident in the data of Evans (1988) obtained in March, 1984. The two data sets are compared to derive the relative strengths of the continuum and broad-line intensities, and profile ratios are constructed for the H-alpha and H-beta Balmer lines to detect differences in the line profiles between the two epochs.