Time Domain Studies of Active Galactic Nuclei with the SKA telescopes

Abstract

Time domain studies of active galactic nuclei (AGN) at radio wavelengths probe physical processes near the central engine via intrinsic variability, in particular within the relativistic jets, as well as small-scale structures in the local Galactic interstellar medium (ISM) via scintillation and scattering effects. Recent discoveries reinforce the expectation that the high sensitivity, large field-of-view, and broadband frequency coverage of the SKA telescopes will help to revolutionise our understanding of AGN populations and the evolution of jets, and allow detailed modelling of the structure and dynamics of scattering plasma in the local ISM over a large fraction of the sky.