arXiv subjects

Vahram Chavushyan

Publications and source records attributed to Vahram Chavushyan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Powerful Radio Sources in the Southern Sky. IV. Observations of the G4Jy-3CRE Catalog with the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder

A recent 2023 paper by Massaro et al. introduced the G4Jy-3CRE, a new catalog of the brightest radio sources in the southern hemisphere that serve as a southern equivalent to the Third Cambridge Catalog Revised (3CR). The G4Jy-3CRE catalog selected 264 sources from the GLEAM-4Jy survey based on the same criteria used to select the sources in the 3CR. In this paper, we present new Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) continuuum imaging of the G4Jy-3CRE catalog. We use the three most recent data releases from the Rapid ASKAP Continuum Survey (RACS), covering the sky south of +30°decl.: RACS-low1, RACS-mid, and RACS-high. Together, these data releases cover a range of frequencies from 600 to 1800 MHz. The RACS surveys have improved spatial resolution and sensitivity over archival surveys at the same frequency, enabling us to classify 173 sources (66% of the sample) with morphologies indicative of the presence of jets, 37 of which did not show jet activity on archival radio maps. We were able to effectively classify FRI/FRII galaxies up to a redshift of z = 1.35. Moreover, we identified six optical counterparts for sources that were either previously unidentified or ambiguous.

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arXiv2026

The Phenomenological Nature of Quasar-type Blazars (BZQ). I. Revisiting the Flat-Spectrum Paradigm

We reevaluate 610 sources classified as Flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) in the 5th edition of the Roma-BZCAT. Optical spectra from SDSS DR16 confirm broad emission lines within $0.11 \leq z \leq 5.28$. To assess their blazar-like behavior, we combine ZTF optical variability with radio morphologies from FIRST, LOFAR, and VLBI, defining Confirmed, Possible, and Non-Confirmed BZQs. Rest-frame 1.4--10 GHz radio spectra were homogenized and fitted with error-weighted power laws. We show that the scheme of Park et al. (2013) often misclassifies nearly flat spectra as inverted and some prominently steep spectra as flat. Using the individual uncertainty $σ_{α,i}$, we classify spectra as flat if $|α_i| \leq 2σ_{α,i}$, prominently steep if $α_i > 2σ_{α,i}$, and inverted if $α_i < -2σ_{α,i}$. This source-by-source criterion, intended as a phenomenological classification for this sample, better reflects the observed spectral shapes and confirms that most BZQs are consistent with being flat within measurement precision, although a non-negligible fraction departs from strict flatness. We also classify full spectral morphologies as power-law, peaked, restarted-peaked, or inverted-peaked, associated with distinct jet processes and activity cycles. About 60% of the sources with at least two decades of frequency coverage exhibit restarted-peaked spectra, suggesting recurrent jet activity. The observed diversity indicates that the label "Flat-spectrum radio quasar" does not fully describe this population, and that the more general term BZQ may better reflect its phenomenological diversity.

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arXiv2026

Relationship between the $γ-$ray variability and the pc-scale jet in the blazar 3C 454.3

3C 454.3 is a flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) known for its high variability across the electromagnetic spectrum, showing structural and flux variability in its pc-scale jet, and correlated variability among frequency bands. This study aims to identify the structure, dynamics, and radiative processes common to the innermost regions of the blazar 3C 454.3. We investigate whether any jet component can be associated with $γ-$ray emission and variability. We analyze the relationship between the variable $γ-$ray emission and pc-scale jet properties in 3C 454.3 by combining $γ-$ray data spanning twelve years with contemporaneous VLBA multi-epoch images at 15 and 43 GHz. Spearman rank correlation tests are conducted to determine if the flux variability of any jet component is associated with $γ-$ray variability. Core emission at 43 and 15 GHz strongly correlates with $γ-$ray emission. The 43 GHz core (Q0) contributes around 37$\%$ of the observed $γ-$ray variability, while the 15 GHz core (K0) accounts for 30$\%$. A quasi-stationary component at 43 GHz, at a projected distance of 4.6 pc, correlates with the $γ-$ray flux, accounting for 20$\%$ of its emission between 2016 and 2021. We found a mobile component (Q3 between 2010.18 and 2011.16) at 43 GHz with a projected distance between 0.8 and 2.3 pc and apparent velocity of $β_{app} = 9.9 \pm 1.1$ c, accounting for approximately 28% of the $γ-$ray emission. The observed simultaneous variability in emission regions beyond the central parsec strongly suggests synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) as the primary mechanism for $γ-$ray production in these regions. Our findings demonstrate the existence of multiple $γ-$ray emission regions within the blazar jet but also suggest that some of these regions are non-stationary over time.

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arXiv2025

Exploring Emission Line Variability and Jet-Broad Line Region Interaction in the Blazar TON 599

Blazars, a highly variable Active Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) subclass, provide a unique opportunity to explore the physical processes within their relativistic jets and emission regions. In this study, we investigate the multiwavelength variability of the blazar TON 599, a Flat Spectrum Radio Quasar (FSRQ), with a particular emphasis on its emission line behavior. We focus on the Mg II $λ$2798 Å emission line, a key tracer of the ionized gas in the broad-line region (BLR), and its role in jet-induced variability. In addition to optical emission lines, we analyze gamma-rays (0.1-300 GeV), X-rays (0.2-10 keV), optical continuum ($λ$3000 Å), optical polarization, and millimeter-wavelength light curves. Three cross-correlation methods are employed to investigate temporal relationships between the emission line and continuum across various wavelengths. Using the Non-Thermal Dominance (NTD) parameter, our analysis confirms that synchrotron emission dominates the continuum during active states, highlighting the jet's primary role in the observed variability. The Mg II emission line exhibits quasi-simultaneous variability with the optical continuum, suggesting photoionization driven by the jet's non-thermal radiation. Additionally, the minimal time lag between gamma-ray and optical/near-ultraviolet emissions supports a synchrotron self-Compton origin for the most variable component of the gamma-ray emission. These findings highlight the importance of emission line variability and multiwavelength observations in constraining the interaction between jets and the BLR in blazars. The results contribute to a deeper understanding of AGN emission mechanisms and the complex interplay between jets and their surrounding environments.

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arXiv2025

The Relationship Between Emission Line and Continuum Luminosity and the Baldwin Effect in Blazars. I. The Case of the Mg II λ2798 Å Emission Line

Aims. This study investigates the relationship between the Mg II λ2798 Å emission line and the 3000 Å continuum luminosity, as well as the Baldwin Effect, in a sample of 40,685 radio-quiet (RQ) quasars and 441 Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs). Methods. We perform a comprehensive re-evaluation of the Mg II-3000 Å correlation, explicitly accounting for dispersion introduced by AGN variability. After excluding >3000 radio-loud sources, we employ a binning technique to mitigate variability effects, yielding a refined empirical relation. We also further examine the Non-Thermal Dominance (NTD) parameter, to investigate the dominant source of the continuum. Results. Our analysis reveals statistically significant differences in the slopes of the line-continuum luminosity relation between RQ quasars and FSRQs, with a parallel discrepancy in the Baldwin Effect. These findings imply either (1) intrinsic differences in the accretion disk spectra of RQ AGNs and FSRQs or (2) jet-induced continuum emission in FSRQs contributing to Broad Line Region (BLR) ionization. We also found that a substantial fraction of both RQ quasars (43.8\%) and blazars (55.5\%) exhibit NTD < 1. For blazars, this suggests that the accretion disk alone cannot fully explain BLR ionization; while we interpret NTD < 1 in radio-quiet quasars as a signature of several physical mechanisms: anomalies in the BLR structure (such as outflow or inflows), time lags between continuum and line variations, and the suppression of the UV continuum by a strong corona that diverts accretion power. Finally, we demonstrate that the Baldwin Effect emerges naturally from the line-continuum luminosity relationship, requiring no additional physical mechanism to explain its origin

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arXiv2025

Automated Modeling with AAP-Imfit: Astrometry and Photometry via CASA

Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) provides the highest-resolution radio intensity maps, crucial for detailed studies of compact sources like active galactic nuclei (AGN) and their relativistic jets. Analyzing jet components in these maps traditionally involves manual Gaussian fitting, a time-consuming bottleneck for large datasets. To address this, we present an automated batch-processing tool, based on the Gaussian fitting capabilities of CASA, designed to streamline VLBI jet component characterization (AAP-Imfit). Our algorithm sets a detection limit, performs automatic 2D Gaussian fitting, and removes model artifacts, efficiently extracting component flux densities and positions. This method enables systematic and reproducible analysis, significantly reducing the time required for fitting extensive VLBI datasets. We validated AAP-Imfit by using VLBI observations of the blazars 3C 279 and 3C 454.3, comparing our results with published fits. The close agreement in residual root mean square (RMS) values and model/residual-to-map RMS ratios confirms the accuracy of our automated approach in reproducing original flux distributions. While visual inspection remains important for complex or faint features, this routine significantly accelerates VLBI component fitting, paving the way for large-scale statistical studies of jet dynamics.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2024

Unveiling the Emission Mechanisms of Blazar PKS 1510-089: II. Jet-BLR Connection and Black Hole Mass Estimation

The flat spectrum radio quasar PKS 1510-089 is one of the most active blazars across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, displaying periods of flaring activity. This study explores its spectral variability over a decade. By employing the non-thermal dominance parameter, we analyze the H$β$ and $\lambda5100\text{ Å}$ continuum light curves, as well as the full width at half maximum of the H$β$ emission line, to identify whether the primary source of the continuum emission is the accretion disk or the jet during activity periods. Our results shows an anti-correlation between the full width at half maximum and the luminosity of the H$β$ emission line across all datasets. This indicates, that variations in H$β$ luminosity consistently reflects the canonical broad-line region, irrespective of whether the primary ionizing source is the accretion disk or the jet. The anti-correlation persisted when comparing the full width at half maximum of H$β$ against the luminosity at $\lambda5100\text{ Å}$ in the disk dominance regime. These findings, along with the observation that flaring events in the $\lambda5100\text{ Å}$ continuum, attributed to the jet, coincide with flares in the H$β$ emission line, suggest that the base of the jet is located within the broad-line region. Based on the 219 spectra within the disk dominance regime, we estimated a mean black hole mass of $M_{BH}=2.85\pm0.37\times10^{8}\: M_{\odot}$.

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arXiv2024

Unveiling the Emission Mechanisms of Blazar PKS 1510-089: I. Multi-Wavelength Variability

The flat spectrum radio quasar PKS 1510-089 is one of the most active blazars in $γ$-rays, exhibiting phases of very high activity. This study investigates its variability over a decade across a wide range of wavelengths, from radio to $γ$-rays. Utilizing the non-thermal dominance parameter, we analyze the H$β$, H$γ$, and $\lambda5100\text{ Å}$ continuum light curves to discern the primary source of continuum emission, either from the accretion disk or the jet, during different activity phases. Our findings underscore the dominance of jet emission in the continuum during flare-like events. We observed an approximately 80-day delay between the H$β$ and continuum emissions, which we attribute to the spatial separation between the optical emission zone and the broad-line region. Near-zero delays between optical and near-infrared emissions suggest that the emitting regions within the jet are co-spatial. Synchrotron self-Compton was identified as the primary mechanism for $γ$-ray emission during flares, supported by the minimal delay observed between optical/near-infrared emissions and $γ$-rays. Additionally, we found a delay of about 60 days between the leading optical/near-infrared emissions and X-rays, indicating that inverse Compton scattering within the jet predominantly drives X-ray emission. However, distinguishing between synchrotron self-Compton and external inverse Compton mechanism was not feasible. Shifts in the spectral index across the 15-230 GHz range corresponded with ejections from the radio core, suggesting changes in the physical conditions of the jet.

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arXiv2024

Instrumental Broadening Of The SPOL Spectropolarimeter At The University Of Arizona

The Ground-based Observational Support of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope is conducted by the University of Arizona using the 2.3m Bok and 1.54m Kuiper telescopes operated by the Steward Observatory (SO). This program monitors blazar sources with spectroscopic (among others) observations. Yet, the instrumental broadenings for the different slit widths used in the spectra, are unavailable (the widths range from 2.0 to 12.7 arcsec). Using quasi-simultaneous spectroscopic observations of the blazar 3C 273 between the SO, Observatorio Astrofísico Guillermo Haro (OAGH), and Observatorio Astronómico Nacional San Pedro Mártir (OAN-SPM), we can provide an estimation of the instrumental profile for two of the slit widths. Since the instrumental broadening and the slit width are directly proportional, we were able to estimate the instrumental broadening for all six slit widths used at the SO. We found significant variations between the instrumental profiles, emphasizing the need to correct the instrumental broadening for each aperture.

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arXiv2023

Long-term optical spectral monitoring of a changing-look active galactic nucleus NGC 3516 -- II. Broad-line profile variability

We analyze the broad H$β$ line profile variability of the "changing look" active galactic nucleus (CL-AGN) NGC 3516 over a long period of 25 years. The observed change in the broad line profile may indicate a change in the geometry of the broad line region (BLR). Using spectral line profiles, we aim to explore changes in the kinematics and dimensions of the BLR in NGC 3516. We consider two possible scenarios, i.e. changes in the broad-line emission are caused by a decrease of ionization continuum emission or by the BLR obscuration by outer dusty regions. With this investigation we aim to clarify the CL mechanism of this AGN. We analyze the spectral band around the H$β$ line as well as the broad H$β$ line parameters, and how they change in time. We model the broad-line profiles assuming that there is an emission from the accretion disc superposed with an emission from a surrounding region that is outside the disc. We find that in the Type 1 activity phase, the BLR is very complex. There is a clear disc-like BLR that contributes to the broad line wings and an additional intermediate line region (ILR) that contributes to the line core. In the high activity phase, the ILR emission is close to the center of the line (in some cases slightly shifted to the red), whereas in the low activity phase (i.e., Type 2 phase), the ILR component has a significant shift to the blue, indicating an outflow. We propose that the changing look mechanism in NGC 3516 is rather connected with the intrinsic effects than with an outer obscuring region. It may still be possible that the dust has an important role in the low activity phase when it is coming inside of the BLR, making a dusty BLR. In this way, it causes a decrease in the ionization and recombination rates.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2023

NOEMA spatially resolved view of the multi-phase outflow in IRAS17020+4544: a shocked wind in action?

The Narrow Line Seyfert 1 Galaxy IRAS17020+4544 is one of the few AGN where a galaxy-scale energy-conserving outflow was revealed. This paper reports on NOEMA observations addressed to constrain the spatial scale of the CO emission in outflow. The molecular outflowing gas is resolved in five components tracing approaching and receding gas, all located at a distance of 2-3~kpc on the West and East side of the active nucleus. This high velocity gas (up to v_out=~1900 km/s) is not coincident with the rotation pattern of the CO gas in the host galaxy disk. The estimated mass outflow rate shows that with a global mass output of $\dot{M}_{H_2}$=~139$\pm$20$~M_\odot$~yr$^{-1}$, this powerful galaxy-scale outflow is consistent with the wind conserving its energy, and with a momentum rate boost of a factor of ~30 compared to the momentum rate of the nuclear X-ray wind. Preliminary results from ancillary X-ray (Chandra) and radio images (e-MERLIN) are reported. While the nature of the radio source is not conclusive, the Chandra image may tentatively trace extended emission, as expected by an expanding bubble of hot X-ray gas. The outcome of the NOEMA analysis and of past and ongoing publications dedicated to the description of the outflow multi-band phenomenology in IRAS17020+4544 concur to provide compelling reasons to postulate that an outflow shocking with the galaxy interstellar medium is driving the multi-phase wind in this peculiar AGN.

astro-ph.GA↗

arXiv2022

A multifrequency characterization of the extragalactic hard X-ray sky

Nowadays we know that the origin of the Cosmic X-ray Background (CXB) is due to the integrated emission of nearby active galactic nuclei. Thus, to obtain a precise estimate of the contribution of different source classes to the CXB it is crucial to fully characterize the hard X-ray sky. We present a multifrequency analysis of all sources listed in the 3d release of the Palermo Swift-BAT hard X-ray catalog (3PBC) with the goal of (i) identifying and classifying the largest number of sources adopting multifrequency criteria, with particular emphasis on extragalactic populations and (ii) extracting Seyfert galaxies to present here the 2nd release of the Turin-SyCAT catalog. We outline a classification scheme based on radio, infrared and optical criteria that allows us to distinguish between unidentified and unclassified hard X-ray sources, and classify and classify the remaining ones discriminating between Galactic and extragalactic classes. Our revised version of the 3PBC lists 1176 classified, 820 extragalactic, and 356 Galactic, 199 unclassified, and 218 unidentified sources. According to our analysis, the hard X-ray sky is mainly populated by Seyfert galaxies and blazars. For the Seyfert galaxies, we present the 2nd release of the Turin-SyCAT including a total of 633 Seyfert galaxies, with 282 new sources, which is an 80% increment from the previous release. We confirm, that there is no clear difference between the flux distribution of the infrared-to-hard X-ray flux ratio of Seyfert galaxies Type 1 and Type 2. However, we confirm a significant trend between the mid-IR flux and hard X-ray flux.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Multiwavelength analysis and the C IV λ1549 Å emission line behavior from 2008 to 2020 of the FSRQ B2 1633+382

The flat-spectrum radio quasar B2 1633+382 (4C 38.41) has been monitored for several years and has presented correlated variability in multiple wavelengths. In this article, we are performing different analyses for multiple frequencies, from gamma-rays to radio, as well as, the C IV $λ$1549 Å emission line and the $λ$1350 Å continuum. Using the non-thermal dominance parameter, we separated the C IV and the continuum light curves for when the dominant source of continuum is the accretion disk or the jet. We found a correlation at a delay consistent with zero between the line and the continuum dominated by disk emission indicating a very small broad-line region (BLR). From the resulting delay between the 15 GHz and gamma-rays, we estimated the distance of the gamma-ray emission region from the jet apex to be $\sim$37 pc. The C IV flux decreases when the continuum and gamma-rays increase at some of the high activity periods. The C IV profile presents a larger variable component in its blue wing. The relation between the luminosities of C IV and the continuum does not completely follow the relation for a quasar sample. Our results lead us to propose an outflow of BLR material in the jet-flow direction, a gamma-ray production through magnetic reconnection for the flaring event of mid-2011, and that there is not enough BLR material close to the radio core to be easily ionized by the non-thermal continuum.

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arXiv2021

An optical overview of blazars with LAMOST I: Hunting changing-look blazars and new redshift estimates

The extragalactic $γ$-rays sky observed by Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) is dominated by blazars. In the fourth release of the Fermi-LAT Point Source Catalog (4FGL), are sources showing a multifrequency behavior similar to that of blazars but lacking an optical spectroscopic confirmation of their nature known as Blazar Candidate of Uncertain type (BCUs). We aim at confirming the blazar nature of BCUs and test if new optical spectroscopic observations can reveal spectral features, allowing us to get a redshift estimate for known BL Lac objects. We also aim to search for and discover changing-look blazars (i.e., blazars that show a different classification at different epochs). We carried out an extensive search for optical spectra available in the Large Sky Area Multi-Object Fibre Spectroscopic Telescope (LAMOST) Data Release 5 (DR5) archive. We selected sources out of the 4FGL catalog, the list of targets from our follow-up spectroscopic campaign of unidentified or unassociated $γ$-ray sources, and the multifrequency catalog of blazars: the Roma-BZCAT. We selected a total of 392 spectra. We also compare some of the LAMOST spectra with those available in the literature. We classified 20 BCUs confirming their blazar-like nature. Then we obtained 15 new redshift estimates for known blazars. We discovered 26 transitional (i.e., changing-look) blazars that changed their classification. Finally, we were able to confirm the blazar-like nature of six BL Lac candidates. All remaining sources analyzed agree with previous classifications. BL Lac objects are certainly the most elusive type of blazars in the $γ$-ray extragalactic sky.

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arXiv2020

Multiwavelength analysis and the difference in the behavior of the spectral features during the 2010 and 2014 flaring periods of the blazar 3C 454.3

The flat-spectrum radio quasar 3C~454.3 throughout the years has presented very high activity phases (flares) in which the different wavebands increase their flux dramatically. In this work, we perform multiwavelength analysis from radio to gamma-rays and study the Mg~II~$λ2798$Å emission line and the UV~Fe~II band from 2008-2018. We found that an increase in the 43 GHz flux density of the quasi-stationary component C, coincides with the estimated time at which a superluminal blob ejected from the radio core (which caused the brightest flare of 2010) collides with the quasi-stationary component (at a projected distance of $\sim4.6$ pc from the radio core). The spectral index different behavior in the first ($5000 < \text{JD}-2450000 < 5600$) and second ($6600 < \text{JD}-2450000 < 7900$) flaring periods suggest changes in the physical conditions. The complex nature of the second period can be a result of a superposition of multiple events at different locations. The Mg~II has an anti-correlation with the UV-continuum while Fe~II correlates positively. Except by the time of the brightest flare of 2010, when both have a strong response at high continuum luminosities. Our results suggest that the dominant gamma-ray emission mechanism for the first flaring period is External Compton. For the second flaring period the seed photons emission region is co-spatial with the gamma-ray emission region. However, a SED study using a multizone jet emission model is required to confirm the nature of each significant flare during the second period.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Multiwavelength Analysis of the Variability of the Blazar 3C 273

We present multiwavelength light curves and polarimetric data of the Flat Spectrum Radio Quasar 3C 273 over 8 years. The wavelength range of our data set extends from radio to gamma-rays. We found that the optical emission in this source is dominated by the accretion disk during the entire time-frame of study. We additionally find that in contrast with the observed behaviour in other blazars, 3C 273 does not show a correlation between the gamma-ray spectral index and the gamma-ray luminosity. Finally, we identified an anti-correlation between the 15 GHz and V-band light curves for the time-range $JD_{245} = 4860 - 5760$, which we speculate is the consequence of the inner part of the accretion disk falling into the black hole, followed by the ejection of a component into the jet.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Optical spectroscopic observations of gamma-ray blazar candidates. X. Results from the 2018--2019 SOAR and OAN-SPM observations of blazar candidates of uncertain type

The fourth Fermi Large Area Telescope Source Catalog (4FGL) lists over 5000 gamma-ray sources with statistical significance above 4$σ$. About 23% of the sources listed in this catalog are unidentified/unassociated gamma-ray sources while ~26% of the sources are classified as blazar candidates of uncertain type (BCUs), lacking optical spectroscopic information. To probe the blazar nature of candidate counterparts of UGSs and BCUs, we started our optical spectroscopic follow up campaign in 2012, which up to date account for more than 350 observed sources. In this paper, the tenth of our campaign, we report on the spectroscopic observations of 37 sources, mostly BCUs, whose observations were carried out predominantly at the Observatorio Astronómico Nacional San Pedro Mártir and the Southern Astrophysical Research Observatory between August 2018 and September 2019. We confirm the BL Lac nature of 27 sources and the flat spectrum radio quasar nature of three sources. The remaining ones are classified as six BL Lacs galaxy-dominated and one normal galaxy. We were also able to measure the redshifts for 20 sources, including 10 BL Lacs. As in previous analyses, the largest fraction of BCUs revealed to be BL Lac objects.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2020

Flare-like Variability of the Mg~II $λ$2798 Å Emission Line and UV Fe~II band in the Blazar CTA~102

We report on the detection of a statistically significant flare-like event in the Mg~II~$λ$ 2798~Å emission line and the UV~Fe~II band of CTA~102 during the outburst of autumn 2017. The ratio between the maximum and minimum of $λ$3000~Å continuum flux for the observation period ($2010-2017$) is 179$\pm$15. Respectively, the max/min ratios 8.1$\pm$10.5 and 34.0$\pm$45.5 confirmed the variability of the Mg~II emission line and of the Fe~II band. The highest levels of emission lines fluxes recorded coincide with a superluminal jet component traversing through a stationary component located at $\sim$0.1 mas from the 43 GHz core. Additionally, comparing the Mg~II line profile in the minimum of activity against the one in the maximum, we found that the latter is broader and blue-shifted. As a result of these findings, we can conclude that the non-thermal continuum emission produced by material in the jet moving at relativistic speeds is related to the broad emission line fluctuations. In consequence, these fluctuations are also linked to the presence of broad-line region (BLR) clouds located at $\sim$25 pc from the central engine, outside from the inner parsec, where the canonical BLR is located. Our results suggest that during strong activity in CTA~102, the source of non-thermal emission and broad-line clouds outside the inner parsec introduces uncertainties in the estimates of black hole (BH) mass. Therefore, it is important to estimate the BH mass, using single-epoch or reverberation mapping techniques, only with spectra where the continuum luminosity is dominated by the accretion disk.

astro-ph.HE↗