Long-term spectral variability of NGC 4151

As a consequence, the spectral type of the nucleus changed from a Sy1.5 in the maximum activity state to a Sy1.8 in the minimum state. The H{alpha}, H{gamma} and He{lambda}4686 fluxes were well correlated with the H{beta} flux. The line profiles were strongly variable, showing changes of the blue and red asymmetry.

The flux ratios of the blue/red wings and of the blue (or red) wing/core of H{alpha} and H{beta} varied differently. We considered three characteristic periods during which the H{beta} and H{alpha} profiles were similar: 1996-1999, 2000-2001 and 2002-2006. The line to continuum flux ratios were different; in particular during the first period (1996-2001), the lines were not correlated with the continuum and saturated at high fluxes.

In the second and third period (2002-2006), where the continuum flux was small, the H{alpha} and H{beta} fluxes were well correlated to the continuum flux, meaning that the ionizing continuum was a good extrapolation of the optical continuum. The CCFs are often asymmetrical and the time lags between the lines and the continuum are badly defined indicating the presence of a complex BLR, with dimensions from a 1 to 50 light-days.

We discuss the different responses of H{beta} and H{alpha} to the continuum during the monitoring period.