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Context. The advent of the Fermi gamma-ray space telescope with its superb sensitivity, energy range, and unprecedented capability to monitor the entire 4π sky within less than 2–3 h, introduced a new standard in time domain gamma-ray astronomy. Among several breakthroughs, Fermi has – for the first time – made it possible to investigate, with high cadence, the variability of the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED), especially for active galactic nuclei (AGN). This is necessary for understanding the emission and variability mechanisms in such systems. To explore this new avenue of extragalactic physics the Fermi-GST AGN Multi-frequency Monitoring Alliance (F-GAMMA) programme undertook the task of conducting nearly monthly, broadband radio monitoring of selected blazars, which is the dominant population of the extragalactic gamma-ray sky, from January 2007 to January 2015. In this work we release all the multi-frequency light curves from 2.64 to 43 GHz and first order derivative data products after all necessary post-measurement corrections and quality checks. Aims. Along with the demanding task to provide the radio part of the broadband SED in monthly intervals, the F-GAMMA programme was also driven by a series of well-defined fundamental questions immediately relevant to blazar physics. On the basis of the monthly sampled radio SEDs, the F-GAMMA aimed at quantifying and understanding the possible multiband correlation and multi-frequency radio variability, spectral evolution and the associated emission, absorption and variability mechanisms. The location of the gamma-ray production site and the correspondence of structural evolution to radio variability have been among the fundamental aims of the programme. Finally, the programme sought to explore the characteristics and dynamics of the multi-frequency radio linear and circular polarisation. Methods. The F-GAMMA ran two main and tightly coordinated observing programmes. The Effelsberg 100 m telescope programme monitoring 2.64, 4.85, 8.35, 10.45, 14.6, 23.05, 32, and 43 GHz, and the IRAM 30 m telescope programme observing at 86.2, 142.3, and 228.9 GHz. The nominal cadence was one month for a total of roughly 60 blazars and targets of opportunity. In a less regular manner the F-GAMMA programme also ran an occasional monitoring with the APEX 12 m telescope at 345 GHz. We only present the Effelsberg dataset in this paper. The higher frequencies data are released elsewhere. Results. The current release includes 155 sources that have been observed at least once by the F-GAMMA programme. That is, the initial sample, the revised sample after the first Fermi release, targets of opportunity, and sources observed in collaboration with a monitoring programme following up on Planck satellite observations. For all these sources we release all the quality-checked Effelsberg multi-frequency light curves. The suite of post-measurement corrections and flagging and a thorough system diagnostic study and error analysis is discussed as an assessment of the data reliability. We also release data products such as flux density moments and spectral indices. The effective cadence after the quality flagging is around one radio SED every 1.3 months. The coherence of each radio SED is around 40 min. Conclusions. The released dataset includes more than 3 × 104 measurements for some 155 sources over a broad range of frequencies from 2.64 GHz to 43 GHz obtained between 2007 and 2015. The median fractional error at the lowest frequencies (2.64–10.45 GHz) is below 2%. At the highest frequencies (14.6–43 GHz) with limiting factor of the atmospheric conditions, the errors range from 3% to 9%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a broad-band radio-to-GeV observing campaign organized to get a better understanding of the radiation processes responsible for the γ-ray flares observed in 3C 279. The total intensity and polarization observations of the source were carried out between 2013 December 28 and 2014 January 03 using the Fermi-Large Area Telescope, Swift-XRT, Swift-UVOT, and Korean VLBI Network telescopes. A prominent flare observed in the optical/near-UV passbands was found to be correlated with a concurrent γ-ray flare at a confidence level > 95 per cent, which suggests a co-spatial origin of the two. Moreover, the flaring activity in the two regimes was accompanied by no significant spectral variations. A peak in the X-ray light curve coincides with the peaks of the fractional polarization curves at 43 and 86 GHz radio bands. No prominent variation was noticed for the total intensity and the electric vector position angle observations at radio bands during this period. We noticed a possible hint of steepening of the radio spectrum with an increase in percentage polarization, which suggests that the radio polarization variations could be simply due to a spectral change. In a simple scenario, the correlated optical/γ-ray flares could be caused by the same population of emitting particles. The coincidence of the increase in radio polarization with the X-ray flux supports the picture that X-rays are produced via inverse-Compton scattering of radio photons. The observed fractional variability for the γ-ray flare ~0.23 does not exceed that in the optical regime, which is inconsistent with what we usually observe for 3C 279; it could be due to different dependencies of the magnetic field and the external radiation field energy density profiles along the jet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a high-frequency very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) kinematical study of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 over the time period of September 2008 to October 2010. The aim of the study is to investigate the relation of the jet kinematics to the observed broadband flux variability. We find significant non-radial motions in the jet outflow of the source. In the radial direction, the highest measured apparent speed is ~37 c, which is exceptionally high, especially for a BL Lac object. Patterns in the jet flow reveal a roughly stationary feature ~0.15 mas downstream of the core. The long-term fits to the component trajectories reveal acceleration in the sub-mas region of the jet. The measured brightness temperature, TB, follows a continuous trend of decline with distance, TB ∝ rjet-(2.36 ± 0.41), which suggests that there is a gradient in Doppler factor along the jet axis. Our analysis favors that a moving disturbance (or a shock wave) from the base of the jet produces the high-energy (optical to γ-ray) variations upstream of the 7 mm core and then later causes an outburst in the core. Repetitive optical/γ-ray flares and the curved trajectories of the associated components suggest that the shock front propagates along a bent trajectory or helical path. Sharper γ-ray flares could be related to the passage of moving disturbances through the stationary feature. Our analysis indicates that the γ-ray and radio emission regions have different Doppler factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. The quasar S4 0917+624 is one of the targets in the Urumqi flux density monitoring program, which aims to study the properties of intra-day variable (IDV) extragalactic radio sources. Methods. The IDV observations of S4 0917+624 were carried out monthly, from August 2005 to January 2010, with the Urumqi 25 m radio telescope at 4.8 GHz. We analyze these and previous IDV observations to investigate the long-term IDV characteristics of S4 0917+624. We also study the long-term structural variability on milliarcsecond scales using VLBI maps obtained at 15 GHz (taken from the MOJAVE database) in order to search for a possible relation between variations in the IDV pattern and the source structure. Results. The quasar S4 0917+624 exhibits only very weak or no IDV during our 4.5 year observing interval. Prior to the year 2000, the source S4 0917+624 was one of the most prominent IDV sources. Our new data indicate that the previous strong IDV has ceased. We analyzed the long-term VLBI structural variability using Gaussian model-fitting. From this we obtained the flux densities and the deconvolved sizes of core and inner-jet components of the source. We studied the properties such as core fraction, angular size, spectral index, and brightness temperature of VLBI core for S4 0917+624, as well as the time delay between 5 and 15 GHz variations, and compared them with the IDV properties of S4 0917+624. The source shows ejection of several jet components that are suspected to have partially reduced the IDV amplitude of S4 0917+624. However, during 2005-2006, the VLBI core size was comparable to the size before the year 2000, but no strong IDV was detected in the period, suggesting that the quenching effect due to source size changes may not be responsible for the lack of strong IDV after the year 2000. The refractive scattering properties for the strong IDV phase of S4 0917+624 before the year 2000 are discussed. Conclusions. The disappearance of strong IDV in S4 0917+624 after the year 2000 is a mystery and cannot be explained via the quenching effect by changes in the observable VLBI structure. However, it may be caused by changes in the interstellar medium, i.e. by interstellar weather, which induces changes in the scintillation pattern on timescales of several years. Further coordinated multifrequency observations will be required to distinguish between the effect of source-intrinsic variability and changing properties of the interstellar medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. With the current study we aim at understanding the properties of radio emission and the assumed jet from four radio-loud and γ-ray-loud narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies that have been detected by Fermi. These are Seyfert 1 galaxies with emission lines at the low end of the FWHM distribution. Aims. The ultimate goal is twofold: first we investigate whether a relativistic jet is operating at the source producing the radio output, and second, we quantify the jet characteristics to understand possible similarities with and differences from the jets found in typical blazars. Methods. We relied on the most systematic monitoring of radio-loud and γ-ray-detected narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies in the cm and mm radio bands conducted with the Effelsberg 100 m and IRAM 30 m telescopes. It covers the longest time-baselines and the most radio frequencies to date. This dataset of multi-wavelength, long-term radio light-curves was analysed from several perspectives. We developed a novel algorithm to extract sensible variability parameters (mainly amplitudes and time scales) that were then used to compute variability brightness temperatures and the corresponding Doppler factors. The jet powers were computed from the light curves to estimate the energy output and compare it with that of typical blazars. The dynamics of radio spectral energy distributions were examined to understand the mechanism causing the variability. Results. The length of the available light curves for three of the four sources in the sample allowed a firm understanding of the general behaviour of the sources. They all display intensive variability that appears to be occurring at a pace rather faster than what is commonly seen in blazars. The flaring events become progressively more prominent as the frequency increases and show intensive spectral evolution that is indicative of shock evolution. The variability brightness temperatures and the associated Doppler factors are moderate, implying a mildly relativistic jet. The computed jet powers show very energetic flows. The radio polarisation in one case clearly implies a quiescent jet underlying recursive flaring activity. Finally, in one case, the sudden disappearance of a γ-ray flare below some critical frequency in our band needs a more detailed investigation of the possible mechanism causing the evolution of broadband events. Conclusions. Despite the generally lower flux densities, the sources appear to show all typical characteristics seen in blazars that are powered by relativistic jets, such as intensive variability, spectral evolution across the different bands following evolutionary paths explained by travelling shocks, and Doppler factors indicating mildly relativistic speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using millimeter very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) observations of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 from August 2008 to September 2013, we investigate variations in the core flux density and orientation of the sub-parsec scale jet, i.e. position angle. The γ-ray data obtained by the Fermi Large Area Telescope are used to investigate the high-energy flux variations over the same time period. For the first time in any blazar, we report a significant correlation between the γ-ray flux variations and the position angle variations in the VLBI jet. The cross-correlation analysis also indicates a positive correlation such that the mm-VLBI core flux density variations are delayed with respect to the γ-ray flux by 82 ±32 days. This suggests that the high-energy emission is coming from a region located ±(3.8 ± 1.9) parsecs upstream of the mm-VLBI core (closer to the central black hole). These results imply that the observed inner jet morphology has a strong connection with the observed γ-ray flares. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The exact location of the γ-ray emitting region in blazars is still controversial. In order to attack this problem we present first results of a cross-correlation analysis between radio (11 cm to 0.8 mm wavelength, F-GAMMA programme) and γ-ray (0.1–300 GeV) ∼3.5 yr light curves of 54 Fermi-bright blazars. We perform a source stacking analysis and estimate significances and chance correlations using mixed source correlations. Our results reveal: (i) the first highly significant multiband radio and γ-ray correlations (radio lagging γ rays) when averaging over the whole sample, (ii) average time delays (source frame: 76 ± 23 to 7 ± 9 d), systematically decreasing from cm to mm/sub-mm bands with a frequency dependence τr, γ(ν) ∝ ν−1, in good agreement with jet opacity dominated by synchrotron self-absorption, (iii) a bulk γ-ray production region typically located within/upstream of the 3 mm core region (τ3mm, γ = 12 ± 8 d), (iv) mean distances between the region of γ-ray peak emission and the radio ‘τ = 1 photosphere’ decreasing from 9.8 ± 3.0 pc (11 cm) to 0.9 ± 1.1 pc (2 mm) and 1.4 ± 0.8 pc (0.8 mm), (v) 3 mm/γ-ray correlations in nine individual sources at a significance level where one is expected by chance (probability: 4 × 10−6), (vi) opacity and ‘time lag core shift’ estimates for quasar 3C 454.3 providing a lower limit for the distance of the bulk γ-ray production region from the supermassive black hole (SMBH) of ∼0.8–1.6 pc, i.e. at the outer edge of the broad-line region (BLR) or beyond. A 3 mm τ = 1 surface at ∼2–3 pc from the jet base (i.e. well outside the ‘canonical BLR’) finally suggests that BLR material extends to several parsec distances from the SMBH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. 2251+158 (3C 454.3) is a well-studied quasar with rather unusual properties. It is among the most variable and brightest gamma-ray emitting active galactic nucleus (AGN) in the sky observed by Fermi. The multi-wavelength flux density emission of this source is peculiar, and so is the very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) structure. While it is usually assumed that the jet and jet-components in a given AGN show more or less the same properties (e.g., apparent velocities and paths) with time, we demonstrate here that unusual morphologies (arc-like structure) can occur as temporal phenomena. We also show that the kinematic properties of jet components change from slow to fast apparent motion. Aims. We present the detection of an arc around the core region. To understand the physical nature of this and other peculiar kinematic properties of the parsec-scale jet of 2251+158 we performed detailed radio-interferometric studies of this prototypical AGN. Methods. We (re-)analyzed 32 Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) observations covering 16 years in time (between 1995.57 and 2011.48), observed at 15 GHz from the Monitoring Of Jets in Active galactic nuclei with VLBA Experiments (MOJAVE/2 cm) survey and derived the parameters of the observed VLBI structure. Three 43 GHz VLBA observations from 2001.22, 2005.38, and 2005.76 have been reprocessed. We fitted the components of the VLBI structure with Gaussian components. We studied the properties of light-curves obtained in the radio (4.8, 8.0, and 14.5 GHz) and optical regime (R-band), and studied the correlations between the flaring properties and the VLBI structure of the source. Results. We report the detection of an arc-like structure around the core of an AGN. This ring-structure becomes visible in VLBI maps around 1996. It expands with an apparent proper motion between 0.12 ± 0.01 mas yr-1 and 0.19 ± 0.01 mas yr-1 (corresponding to 5.4 ± 0.3c to 9.0 ± 0.4c) and dominates the parsec-scale structure for about 14 years. In addition, we report a significant change in the kinematic properties of jet components close to the core. A phase of slow apparent radial motion (directed away from the core) of two inner jet components (A and B) and no component ejection after a major radio-flare in 1995 is atypical for AGN. This phase is followed by a more typical behaviour in which the same components separate with higher apparent speeds from the core and two new components appear to be ejected from the central region. Conclusions. We observe significant changes in the morphological and kinematic properties of the parsec-scale jet. Taken together, it is tempting to see a causal connection between the different phenomena. We briefly suggest and discuss several possible physical scenarios to explain the observed phenomena. The kinematic changes as well as the changes in the flaring characteristics could be explained geometrically because of a change in the angle to the line of sight towards the observer assuming a helical structure of the jet. Another possible explanation for the observed phenomena and the correlations among them could be a precessing jet (precession period on timescale of 14.5 years) in combination with its interaction with an external inhomogeneous medium surrounding the core. These and other possible explanations will be investigated further and manuscripts presenting the results are in preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the results of a series of radio, optical, X-ray, and γ-ray observations of the BL Lac object S50716+714 carried out between April 2007 and January 2011. The multifrequency observations were obtained using several ground- and space-based facilities. The intense optical monitoring of the source reveals faster repetitive variations superimposed on a long-term variability trend on a time scale of ~350 days. Episodes of fast variability recur on time scales of ~60-70 days. The intense and simultaneous activity at optical and γ-ray frequencies favors the synchrotron self-Compton mechanism for the production of the high-energy emission. Two major low-peaking radio flares were observed during this high optical/γ-ray activity period. The radio flares are characterized by a rising and a decaying stage and agrees with the formation of a shock and its evolution. We found that the evolution of the radio flares requires a geometrical variation in addition to intrinsic variations of the source. Different estimates yield robust and self-consistent lower limits of δ ⩾ 20 and equipartition magnetic field Beq ⩾ 0.36 G. Causality arguments constrain the size of emission region ϴ ⩽ 0.004 mas. We found a significant correlation between flux variations at radio frequencies with those at optical and γ-rays. The optical/GeV flux variations lead the radio variability by ~65 days. The longer time delays between low-peaking radio outbursts and optical flares imply that optical flares are the precursors of radio ones. An orphan X-ray flare challenges the simple, one-zone emission models, rendering them too simple. Here we also describe the spectral energy distribution modeling of the source from simultaneous data taken through different activity periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context.PKS 1749+096 is a BL Lac object showing weak extended jet emission to the northeast of the compact VLBI core on parsec scales. Aims. We aim at better understanding the jet kinematics and variability of this source and finding clues that may applicable to other BL Lac objects. Methods. The jet was studied with multi-epoch multi-frequency high-resolution VLBI observations. Results. The jet is characterized by a one-sided curved morphology at all epochs and all frequencies. The VLBI core, located at the southern end of the jet, was identified based on its spectral properties. The equipartition magnetic field of the core was investigated, through which we derived a Doppler factor of 5, largely consistent with that derived from kinematics (component C5). The study of the detailed jet kinematics at 22 and 15 GHz, spanning a period of more than 10 years, indicates the possible existence of a bimodal distribution of the jet apparent speed. Ballistic and non-ballistic components are found to coexist in the jet. Superluminal motions in the range of 5-21?c were measured in 11 distinct components. We estimated the physical jet parameters with the minimum Lorentz factor of 10.2 and Doppler factors in the range of 10.2-20.4 (component C5). The coincidence in time of the component's ejection and flares supports the idea that, at least in PKS 1749+096, ejection of new jet components is connected with major outbursts in flux density. For the best-traced component (C5) we found that the flux density decays rapidly as it travels downstream the jet, accompanied by a steepening of its spectra, which argues in favor of a contribution of inverse Compton cooling. These properties make PKS 1749+096 a suitable target for an intensive monitoring to decipher the variability phenomenon of BL Lac objects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims. We aim to search for evidence of annual modulation in the time scales of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714. Methods. The intra-day variability (IDV) observations were carried out monthly from 2005 to 2009, with the Urumqi 25 m radio telescope at 4.8 GHz. Results. The source has shown prominent IDV as well as long-term flux variations. The IDV time scale does show evidence in favor of an annual modulation, suggesting that the IDV of 0716+714 is dominated by interstellar scintillation. The source underwent a strong outburst phase between mid-2008 and mid-2009; a second intense flare was observed in late 2009, but no correlation between the total flux density and the IDV time scale is found, implying that the flaring state of the source does not have serious implications for the general characteristics of its intra-day variability. However, we find that the inner-jet position angle is changing throughout the years, which could result in an annual modulation noise in the anisotropic ISS model fit. There is also an indication that the lowest IDV amplitudes (rms in flux density) correspond to the slowest time scales of IDV, which would be consistent with an ISS origin of the IDV of 0716+714. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BLLac object S4 0954+65 is one of the main targets of the Urumqi monitoring program targeting intraday variable (IDV) sources. Between August 2005 and December 2009, the source was included in 41 observing sessions, carried out at a frequency of 4.8 GHz. The time analysis of the collected light curves, performed by applying both a structure function analysis and a specifically developed wavelet-based algorithm, discovered an annual cycle in the variability timescales, suggesting that there is a fundamental contribution by interstellar scintillation to the IDV pattern of the source. The combined use of the two analysis methods also revealed that there was a dramatic change in the variability characteristics of the source between February and March 2008, at the starting time of a strong outburst phase. The analysis' results suggest that the flaring state of the source coincides with the appearance of multiple timescales in its light curves, indicating that changes in the structure of the relativistically moving emitting region may strongly influence the variability observed on IDV timescales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The BL Lacertae object S5 1803+784 has been monitored with very long baseline interferometry at in 43 epochs between 1986.21 and 1993.95. The motivation of this work is to obtain statistically meaningful data with which to study the short-term structural variability in the source on monthly time-scales. We present a detailed analysis of the structural evolution seen in the milliarcsecond-scale jet by way of model-fitting results. Within the simplest identification scenario, the jet can be described as a bent chain of seven jet components within 0.2- and 3-mas separation from the core. New components seem to emerge almost regularly (every 2 yr) from the core. Three jet components approach the brightest and so-called ‘stationary’ component (at ∼1.4 mas at 8.4 GHz) with apparent superluminal motion of 8–11 c. In this paper, we show that the ‘stationary’ component (under the assumption that this is the brightest jet component in each epoch) oscillates, and we discuss several possible explanations. We show that a reconfinement shock can easily reproduce the observed most recent oscillation of the ‘stationary’ component. We present evidence that the average jet ridge line is significantly curved and discuss the possibility that the jet components follow a helically bent path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]