Photometric monitoring of the Seyfert galaxy NGC 7469

Abstract

This paper presents the results of new B, V, and Rc photometric observations of the Seyfert 1.5 galaxy NGC 7469, conducted from October 2025 to January 2026 at the Tian Shan Astronomical Observatory. The primary goal of the study was to monitor the state of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) following a significant optical outburst recorded in late 2024. Observations were performed using a 1-meter Carl Zeiss telescope and processed with differential CCD photometry techniques using a 7″ aperture. The results show that during the study period, the galaxy remained in a state of relative photometric stability with a mean V-band magnitude of approximately 13.2–13.3. The recorded variability amplitude was ~ 0.12 mag, which significantly exceeds the photometric errors (σV ≈ 0.007). Comparison with historical data indicates that while the rapid brightness increase of 2024 has ceased, the object has stabilized at a luminosity level notably higher than the minimum observed in 2021. This stability at an elevated state confirms the persistence of a new active phase of the nucleus. The findings provide critical data for understanding the duty cycle of accretion processes and the interaction between the AGN and the surrounding starburst ring in LIRG systems.