C IV line profile correlations in NGC 4151

Abstract

Novel correlations are presented between the peak emission of the two components of the strong UV resonance line C IV in the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 4151 and the total luminosity of the line. These correlations are distinctly different for the red and the blue peaks of the double-peaked C IV profile, implying that the physical parameters involved in their formation are quite different. The behavior of the red component appears more in accordance with the behavior of lines observed in other objects, while that of the blue peak appears more directly and strongly related to C IV luminosity and shows greater sensitivity to C IV flux changes. These findings imply the existence of specific, hitherto unknown, underlying physical processes.