E. I. Hagen-Thorn

The Outburst of the Blazar AO 0235+164 in 2006 December: Shock-in-Jet Interpretation

We present the results of polarimetric (R-band) and multicolor photometric (BH RI J H K) observations of the blazar AO 0235+16 during an outburst in 2006 December. The data reveal a short timescale of variability (several hours), which increases from optical to near-IR wavelengths; even shorter variations are detected in polarization. The flux density correlates with the degree of polarization, and at the maximum degree of polarization the electric vector tends to align with the parsec-scale jet direction. We find that a variable component with a steady power-law spectral energy distribution and very high optical polarization (30%-50%) is responsible for the variability. We interpret these properties of the blazar within a model of a transverse shock propagating down the jet. In this case a small change in the viewing angle of the jet, by 1°, and a decrease in the shocked plasma compression by a factor of ~1.5 are sufficient to account for the variability.

Optical variability of the blazar OJ 287 in 2005–2009

Five-year sets of photometric and polarization observations are used to study the variability of the blazar OJ 287. A model with one constant and several variable sources of polarized radiation is considered. Monte-Carlo simulations are used to find the optimal source parameters providing the best agreement between the model and observed relations between the polarization parameters and intensity. The modeling results and four-color photometric data are used to find the spectra of the constant and variable components. Both spectra are power laws, but with different spectral indices. The observed color variability of the object is due to the difference of the color indices of these components and their different contributions to the total observed radiation. It is concluded that the observed variability of the polarization and colors of the blazar OJ 287 in the optical range can be explained with the model used.

Color variability of BL Lac in 2002–2008

An analysis of multicolor photometric observations of BL Lac performed at the Astronomical Institute of Saint Petersburg State University was carried out to determine the color characteristics of the variable sources responsible for the activity of this object. The existence of two variable synchrotron components has been established. One is responsible for small flux variations at low flux levels, and the second for outbursts. The outbursts are associated with the propagation of shocks in the jet.

Analysis of the color variability of ON 231 in 1994–2002

We analyze multicolor observations of the blazar ON 231 obtained during coordinated observations in 1994–2002. On average, the spectral energy distribution of the variable component in the optical range remains constant, and can be represented by the power law Fν ∼ ν−0.85. Since the radiation of the blazar is strongly polarized, there is no doubt that the variable emission that is responsible for the activity of the blazar is synchrotron radiation. There are small but significant season-to-season variations in the spectral index.

Optical variability of the blazar S4 0954+658 in 2008–2012

The results of multi-color photometric and polarization observations of the blazar S4 0954+658 carried out mainly in the Astronomical Institute of St. Petersburg State University and the Central Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2008–2012 are analyzed. Individual variable components that are responsible for the activity are distinguished; the power-law spectrum and high degree of polarization confirm that the emission is synchrotron radiation. Modeling the observed dependences between the parameters of the polarization and intensity is used to derive parameters of both the constant and the variable components of the radiation. The observed color variability (“the brighter, the bluer”) can be explained by the superposition of a red constant component and a bluer variable component with a constant relative spectral energy distribution.

Variability of the blazar 3C 454.3 during 2007–2010

Results are presented of multicolor observations of the blazar 3C 454.3 carried out at the Astronomical Institute of St. Petersburg State University and the Central Astronomical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2007–2010. The color variability of the blazar is analyzed. Several outbursts were observed. The existence of two variable synchrotron sources is inferred. The first is responsible for the small-amplitude flux variability, and the second for flares. In each flare, the relative spectral energy distribution (SED) of the variable source is found to be constant. All the SEDs are power laws, but with different spectral indexes in different flares. This indicates the impossibility of explaining the global variability only via a difference in Doppler boosting due to variations of the angle between the line of sight and the velocity of the electrons responsible for the synchrotron radiation. The polarimetric and photometric observations are used to derive the absolute SED of constant component. A comparison of the observed SEDs for different brightness levels with the SED of the constant componentmakes it possible to explain the observed color variability as due to the superposition of a bluer variable source with a constant SED and variable flux onto the constant component.

Variations of the Blazar AO 0235+164 in 2006–2015

The results of optical, radio, and gamma-ray observations of the blazar AO 0235+16 are presented, including photometric (BV RIJHK) and polarimetric (R)monitoring carried out at St. Petersburg State University and the Central (Pulkovo) Astronomical Observatory in 2007–2015, 43 GHz Very Long Baseline Interferometry radio observations processed at Boston University, and a gamma-ray light curve based on observationswith the Fermi space observatory are presented. Two strong outbursts were detected. The relative spectral energy distributions of the variable components responsible for the outbursts are determined; these follow power laws, but with different spectral indices. The degree of polarization was high in both outbursts; only an average relationship between the brightness and polarization can be found. There was no time lag between the variations in the optical and gamma-ray, suggesting that the sources of the radiation in the optical and gamma-ray are located in the same region of the jet.

3C 66A: Variability in 2007–2015

The results of photometric (BV RIJHK) and polarimetric (R)monitoring of the blazar 3C 66A performed at the St. Petersburg State University and the Central AstronomicalObservatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences in 2007–2015, radio observations performed by the Boston University team with the Very Long Baseline Array at 43 GHz, and a gamma-ray light curve based on observations with the Fermi SpaceObservatory are presented. Color variations of the object are studied. Changes in the optical spectral energy distribution are observed at some times, indicating the appearance and disappearance of individual variable sources. A variable source with a degree of polarization of 36% is identified, which is responsible for the polarization variations observed during one episode. The correlations between the variations in the different spectral ranges indicate that the optical and gamma-ray radiation originates near the radio core detected at 43 GHz. The presence of five superluminal components emerging from the core is detected.