  We have obtained a series of high-resolution optical spectra for the brown
dwarf 2MASSW J1207334-393254 (2M1207) using the ESO Very Large Telescope with
the UVES spectrograph during two consecutive observing nights (time resolution
of ~12 min) and the Magellan Clay telescope with the MIKE spectrograph.
Combined with previously published results, these data allow us to investigate
changes in the emission line spectrum of 2M1207 on timescales of hours to
years. Most of the emission line profiles of 2M1207 are broad, in particular
that of Halpha, indicating that the dominant fraction of the emission must be
attributed to disk accretion rather than to magnetic activity. From the Halpha
10% width we deduce a relatively stable accretion rate between
10^(-10.1...-9.8) Msun/yr for two nights of consecutive observations.
Therefore, either the accretion stream is nearly homogeneous over (sub-)stellar
longitude or the system is seen face-on. Small but significant variations are
evident throughout our near-continuous observation, and they reach a maximum
after ~8 h, roughly the timescale on which maximum variability is expected
across the rotation cycle. Together with past measurements, we confirm that the
accretion rate of 2M1207 varies by more than one order of magnitude on
timescales of months to years. Such variable mass accretion yields a plausible
explanation for the observed spread in the accretion rate vs. mass diagram. The
magnetic field required to drive the funnel flow is on the order of a few
hundred G. Despite the obvious presence of a magnetic field, no radio nor X-ray
emission has been reported for 2M1207. Possibly strong accretion suppresses
magnetic activity in brown dwarfs, similar to the findings for higher mass T
Tauri stars.
