SDSS and DES long-term extreme variability QSOs

We identified ~1000 EVQs with a maximum change in g-band magnitude of more than 1 mag over this period, about 10% of all quasars searched. The EVQs have L_bol_~10^45^-10^47^erg/s and L/L_Edd_~0.01-1.

Accounting for selection effects, we estimate an intrinsic EVQ fraction of ~30%-50% among all g<~22 quasars over a baseline of ~15yr. We performed detailed multi-wavelength, spectral, and variability analyses for the EVQs and compared them to their parent quasar sample. We found that EVQs are distinct from a control sample of quasars matched in redshift and optical luminosity: (1) their UV broad emission lines have larger equivalent widths; (2) their Eddington ratios are systematically lower; and (3) they are more variable on all timescales.