Optical observations of 22 violently variable extragalactic sources - 1968-1986

Broadband photographic observations of 22 optically violent variable (OVV) active galactic nuclei are presented. Over 3100 observations made between 1968 and 1986 at Rosemary Hill Observatory are tabulated and displayed graphically. The majority of the observations were made in either the Johnson B system or the international photographic (PG) system. Multicolor data are presented for a few objects. Descriptions of the light curves include the assignment of each OVV to an arbitrary variability subclass. The light curves, some extending over 18 yr, are analyzed for linear trends and underlying structure using linear regression and unequal-interval Fourier transform techniques. The results of the analysis for each of the 22 objects are given, and models of the light variations of 3C 120, 3C 345, and 3C 446 are presented. The models of these light curves show underlying structure with rapid variations superimposed. The time scales seen in the light curves of 3C 120, 3C 345, and 3C 446 are compared with characteristic time scales found in massive-accretion-disk models. The time scales most likely to be responsible for the optical behavior are either the viscous or the thermal time scales. (Author)