H. Bock

Multiepoch multiwavelength spectra and models for blazar 3C 279

Of the blazars detected by EGRET in GeV γ-rays, 3C 279 is not only the best observed by EGRET but also one of the best monitored at lower frequencies. We have assembled 11 spectra, from GHz radio through GeV γ-rays, from the time intervals of EGRET observations. Although some of the data have appeared in previous publications, most are new, including data taken during the high states in early 1999 and early 2000. All of the spectra show substantial γ-ray contribution to the total luminosity of the object; in a high state, the γ-ray luminosity dominates over that at all other frequencies by a factor of more than 10. There is no clear pattern of time correlation; different bands do not always rise and fall together, even in the optical, X-ray, and γ-ray bands. The spectra are modeled using a leptonic jet, with combined synchrotron self-Compton plus external Compton γ-ray production. Spectral variability of 3C 279 is consistent with variations of the bulk Lorentz factor of the jet, accompanied by changes in the spectral shape of the electron distribution. Our modeling results are consistent with the UV spectrum of 3C 279 being dominated by accretion disk radiation during times of low γ-ray intensity.

Day-Scale Variability of 3C?279 and Searches for Correlations in Gamma-Ray, X-Ray, and Optical Bands

Light curves of 3C 279 are presented in optical (R band), X-rays (RXTE/PCA), and γ rays (CGRO/EGRET) for 1999 January-February and 2000 January-March. During both of those epochs the γ-ray levels were high and all three observed bands demonstrated substantial variation, on timescales as short as 1 day. Correlation analyses provided no consistent pattern, although a rather significant optical/γ-ray correlation was seen in 1999, with a γ-ray lag of ~2.5 days, and there are other suggestions of correlations in the light curves. For comparison, correlation analysis is also presented for the γ-ray and X-ray light curves during the large γ ray flare in 1996 February and the two γ-bright weeks leading up to it; the correlation at that time was strong, with a γ-ray/X-ray offset of no more than 1 day.

High-Energy Gamma Rays from PKS 1406–076 and the Observation of Correlated Gamma-Ray and Optical Emission*

We report simultaneous observations of the optically violent variable (OVV) quasar PKS 1406-076 in the optical and gamma-ray regime. Gamma-ray emission is detected with very high significance. Both the gamma-ray and optical properties of PKS 1406-076 are typical for the group of gamma-bright active galactic nuclei detected by EGRET. During 1993 January the source was unusually bright in both frequency ranges. During this period we observed a rapid, symmetrical flare in the optical wavelength range which lasted for about 4 days. EGRET detected a similar rapid flare peaking about 22 hr after the optical outburst. Because such rapid flares are rare events, it is likely that the outbursts in the two frequency regimes are correlated. Correlated outbursts with similar profiles and a lag between the optical and gamma-ray maxima of 22 hr are inconsistent with simple versions of models suggested for the emission of high-energy radiation from blazars.

Simultaneous UV, optical and radio monitoring of the BL Lac object OJ 287 in March 1993

Abstract The BL Lacertae object OJ 287 was intensively monitored with the IUE satellite from 1993 March 15 to 20 in the 2000–3000 A wavelength region. The very low emission state of the source hampered the detection during part of the 23 performed exposures. The light curve at 2650 A constructed with the 11 best images exhibits a variable trend with a factor ≲ 2 enhancement of the flux in about 3 hours. Simultaneous ground based observations show an optical flux variability of smaller amplitude, but correlated with the UV light curve without any apparent lag. The radio light curve is nearly constant. The UV emission state is the weakest observed in 15 years for this flaring blazar, being a factor of ≲ 20 lower than the maximum recorded one.

Variability Characteristics of Blazar OJ 287

Blazar OJ 287 is one of the best observed extragalactic objects. It’s historical light curve goes back to 1890’s. Based on the historical behaviour Sillanpaa et al. (1988) showed that OJ 287 displays large periodic outbursts, with a period of 11.7 years. We have monitored OJ 287 intensively for two years, during the OJ-94 project. This project was created for monitoring OJ 287 during its predicted new outburst in 1994. In the data archive we have over 7000 observations on OJ 287, in the radio, infrared and optical bands. This data archive contains the best ever obtained light curves for any extragalactic object. The optical light curve shows continuous variability down to time scales of tens of minutes. The variability observed in OJ 287 can be broken down to (at least) four different categories: 1. The large outbursts that occur every 11.7 years. The last one of these happened during November 1994, almost at the predicted time. These outbursts can be due to the binary black hole model proposed by Sillanpaa et al. (1988).