U. C. Joshi

QUASI-PERIODIC OSCILLATIONS OF ∼15 MINUTES IN THE OPTICAL LIGHT CURVE OF THE BL LAC S5 0716+714

Over the course of 3 hr on 2008 December 27, we obtained optical (R band) observations of the blazar S5 0716+714 at a very fast cadence of 10 s. Using several different techniques, we find fluctuations with an approximately 15 minute quasi-period to be present in the first portion of these data at a >3σ confidence level. This is the fastest quasi-periodic oscillation that has been claimed to be observed in any blazar at any wavelength. While these data are insufficient to strongly constrain models for such fluctuations, the presence of such a short timescale when the source is not in a very low state seems to favor the action of turbulence behind a shock in the blazars relativistic jet.

RAPID OPTICAL VARIABILITY IN BLAZAR S5 0716+71 DURING 2010 MARCH

We report rapid optical variability for the blazar S5 0716+71 during 2010 March 8-10 and 19-20 in the CCD observations made from Mt. Abu Infrared Observatory. The light curves are constructed for a duration longer than 3 hr each night, with very high temporal resolution ({approx}45 s in the R band). During 2010 March 8, the source smoothly decayed by about 0.15 mag in 2.88 hr, apart from a fast flicker lasting about 30 minutes. S5 0716+71 brightened during March 9 and 10, showing high activity, while it was relatively faint (>14 mag in the R band) albeit variable during March 19-20. During March 9 and 10, rapid flickers in the intensity modulated the long-term intra-night ({approx}3 hr) variations. The present observations suggest that the blazar S5 0716+71 showed night-to-night and intra-night variability at various timescales with a 100% duty cycle for variation along with microvariability at significant levels. On a night-to-night basis, the source exhibits mild bluer-when-brighter nature. The interaction of shocks with local inhomogeneities in the jet appears to cause intra-night variations, while microvariations could be due to small-scale perturbations intrinsic to the jet.

Optical intraday variability studies of 10 low energy peaked blazars

We have carried out optical (R band) intraday variability (IDV) monitoring of a sample of ten bright low energy peaked blazars (LBLs). Forty photometric observations, of an average of � 4 hours each, were made between 2008 September and 2009 June using two telescopes in India. Measurements with good signal to noise ratios were typically obtained within 1–3 minutes, allowing the detection of weak, fast variations using N-star differential photometry. We employed both structure function and discrete correlation function analysis methods to estimate any dominant timescales of variability and found that in most of the cases any such timescales were longer than the duration of the observation. The calculated duty cycle of IDV in LBLs during our observing run is �52%, which is low compared to many earlier studies; however, the relatively short periods for which each source was observed can probably explain this difference. We briefly discuss possible emission mechanisms for the observed variability.

CLOUDS search for variability in brown dwarf atmospheres. Infrared spectroscopic time series of L/T transition brown dwarfs ⋆

Context. L-type ultra-cool dwarfs and brown dwarfs have cloudy atmospheres that could host weather-like phenomena. The detection of photometric or spectral variability would provide insight into unresolved atmospheric heterogeneities, such as holes in a global cloud deck. Indeed, a number of ultra-cool dwarfs have been reported to vary. Additional time-resolved spectral observations of brown dwarfs offer the opportunity for further constraining and characterising atmospheric variability. Aims. It has been proposed that growth of heterogeneities in the global cloud deck may account for the L- to T-type transition when brown dwarf photospheres evolve from cloudy to clear conditions. Such a mechanism is compatible with variability. We searched for variability in the spectra of five L6 to T6 brown dwarfs to test this hypothesis. Methods. We obtained spectroscopic time series using the near-infrared spectrographs ISAAC on VLT–ANTU, over 0.99−1.13 μm, and SpeX on the Infrared Telescope Facility for two of our targets in the J, H, and K bands. We searched for statistically variable lines and for a correlation between those. Results. High spectral-frequency variations are seen in some objects, but these detections are marginal and need to be confirmed. We find no evidence of large-amplitude variations in spectral morphology and we place firm upper limits of 2 to 3% on broad-band variability, depending on the targets and wavelengths, on the time scale of a few hours. In contrast to the rest of the sample, the T2 transition brown dwarf SDSS J1254−0122 shows numerous variable features, but a secure variability diagnosis would require further observations. Conclusions. Assuming that any variability arises from the rotation of patterns of large-scale clear and cloudy regions across the surface, we find that the typical physical scale of cloud-cover disruption should be smaller than 5−8% of the disk area for four of our targets, using simplistic heterogeneous atmospheric models. The possible variations seen in SDSS J1254−0122 are not strong enough to allow us to confirm the cloud-breaking hypothesis.

Optical polarimetry and photometry of comet 17P/Holmes

Comet 17P/Holmes was observed for linear polarization using the optical polarimeter mounted on the 1.2-m telescope atop Gurushikhar peak near Mt. Abu during the period 2007 November-December. Observations were conducted through the International Halley Watch narrow-band (continuum) filters. During the observing run, the phase angle was near 13° at which the comet showed negative polarization. On the basis of the observed polarization data, we find comet 17P/Holmes to be a typical comet with usual dust characteristics. We note that radial rate of change of brightness in coma in red band is higher than that in blue band; it has decreased by a factor of 3.6 and 2.5, respectively, in red and blue bands during the November-December run, indicating relative increase in the abundance of smaller dust particles outward. Radial brightness variation seen near the nucleus on November 6 is indicative of the presence of a blob or shocked region beyond 10 arcsec from the nucleus which has gradually smoothened by December 13. The brightness distribution is found steeper during November 5-7 as compared to that on December 13.

Study of the galactic cluster NGC 6823

PhotoelectricUBV magnitudes have been determined for 41 stars in NGC 6823. The reddening across the cluster field is determined and found that it varies fromE(B-V)=0.60 to 1.16 mag. The true distance modulus to the cluster is estimated at 12.7±0.3 mag. It is found that cluster stars are not co-equal in age.

Polarization studies of comet C/2000 WM1 (LINEAR)

Linear polarization observations were carried out on comet C/2000 WM1 with the 1.2 m telescope at Mt. Abu Observatory during November 2001 and March 2002. The observations in November were at low phase angle (<22°) when the polarization is negative and where the data for most of the comets are rather meager. The observations during March were made when the phase angle was ∼47°. Observations were conducted through the IHW narrow band and BVR broad band filters. Based on these polarization observations we infer that the comet C/2000 WM1 belongs to high polarization class i.e. the dusty comet family.

Optical polarimetry of Comet NEAT C/2001 Q4

Abstract Comet NEAT C/2001 Q4 was observed for linear polarization using the optical polarimeter mounted at the 1.2 m telescope at Mt. Abu Observatory, during the months of May and June 2004. Observations were conducted through the International Halley Watch narrow band (continuum) and BVR broad band filters. During the observing run the phase angle ranged from 85.6° in May to 55° in June. As expected, polarization increases with wavelength in this phase angle range. Polarization colour in the narrow bands changes at different epochs, perhaps related to cometary activity or molecular emission contamination. The polarization was also measured in the cometary coma at different locations along a line, in the direction of the tail. As expected, we notice minor decrease in the polarization as photocenter (nucleus) is traversed while brightness decreases sharply away from it. Based on these polarization observations we infer that the Comet NEAT C/2001 Q4 has high polarization and a typical grain composition—mixture of silicates and organics.

Optical variability of gamma-ray loud blazars

Blazars display flux variability on diverse timescales ranging from minutes to months. In our blazar monitoring project carried out on the 1.2meter telescope at Gurushikhar, Mount Abu, India, we selected someγ-ray loud blazars to study the variability over both the short and the long time scales. In this paper we have reported results based on photometric monitoring on 8 nights during the observing run in the first half of the year 2000 for 5 blazars: S5 0716+714, OJ 287, S4 0954+658, Mrk421 and PKS 2155–304 in B and R passbands. Microvariability and rapid variability has been observed in these sources suggesting that variability is a common property in these objects.

Photometric studies of some starburst galaxies

We present the results of a detailed morpho- logical analysis of ten starburst galaxies selected from the Markarian catalog of uv-excess objects. CCD surface pho- tometry of these galaxies was carried out based on obser- vations made in B, V (Johnson) and R, I (Kron-Cousins) band passes. We present the radial variations of surface brightness, ellipticity, position angle and the colour indices for each galaxy obtained using ellipse tting isophotal analysis. The residual images constructed for extracting the ne structure are also presented. A variety of morpho- logical types are found to host the starburst phenomenon. The star formation activity is not conned to the nuclear region alone, but it also occurs at various locations in the galaxy and is seen as clumpy regions. The colour index and the residual images are used for deriving information about the sites of enhanced star formation activity and the triggers of the starburst. The luminosity proles show an exponential behaviour in the outer region. The disk scale lengths and the half-light radii are derived. The con- tribution of the burst component has been estimated and the colours of the burst component are presented. Strong isophotal twisting is detected in all the S0 and E galax- ies: Mrk 1002, Mrk 1308 and Mrk 14, in the sample. This is accompanied by boxiness in some cases, suggesting that a merger is responsible for the starburst activity in these galaxies. In case of isolated spirals, a bar or a central oval distortion appear to be the likely trigger for the starburst.