1. Intensive monitoring of OJ 287
- Author
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Mark R. Kidger, R. Rekola, H. Pietilä, R. K. Honeycutt, Merja Tornikoski, K. Nilsson, G. Poyner, G. M. Richter, N. M. Shakhovskoy, N. Gonzalez-Perez, H. Teräsranta, Philip A. Hughes, S. Katajainen, M. G. Nikolashvili, J. V. Linde, W. Weneit, G. de Francesco, Mauri Valtonen, E. Massaro, Jochen Heidt, S. Wiren, Jeff W. Robertson, Roberto Nesci, Leo O. Takalo, F. Montagni, A. Riehokainen, A. C. Sadun, Omar M. Kurtanidze, Stefan Wagner, Pekka Heinämäki, C. M. Raiteri, J. A. de Diego, Deborah Dultzin-Hacyan, P. A. Charles, John K. Webb, E. Valtaoja, Alan P. Marscher, Margo F. Aller, P. Boltwood, M. Hanski, Pasi Nurmi, M. Maesano, M. Kümmel, G. Sobrito, Massimo Fiorucci, Markku Lainela, Volker Beckmann, Pekka Teerikorpi, J. M. Rodriguez-Espinoza, T. Mahoney, U. Borgeest, Hugh D. Aller, K. J. Schramm, L. Lanteri, M. Villata, Lewis B. G. Knee, Matthias Dietrich, D. Kühl, Erika Benítez, Anne Lähteenmäki, Harry J. Lehto, G. Tosti, Yu. S. Efimov, H. Bock, A. Sillanpää, S. G. Marchenko, G. W. Turner, T. Pursimo, G. Ghisellini, T. Schramm, and K. Karlamaa
- Subjects
Physics ,BL LAC OBJECTS ,OJ 287 ,PHOTOMETRY ,Infrared ,Astrophysics::High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena ,General Physics and Astronomy ,Flux ,Astronomy ,Astrophysics ,Position angle ,Radio spectrum ,High flux ,Photometry (astronomy) ,Binary black hole ,BL Lac object - Abstract
We present intensive optical, infrared, and radio monitoring observations of the BL Lac object OJ 287, taken between the years 1993-1998. Two large optical outbursts were detected at the predicted times in November 1994 and December 1995. The detection of these outbursts supports the binary black hole model for OJ 287. Optical and radio polarisation observations show large variability in the degree of polarisation and position angle, very similar to those observed during the 1983/84 outburst in OJ 287. The polarisation position angles show very similar behaviour during these observations, indicating that, at least, the magnetic field orientations in radio and optical bands are related in OJ 287. Optical and infrared light curves show continuous variability in time scales ranging from tens of minutes to years. In the radio bands we have observed some of the lowest ever measured flux levels. During the first optical outburst in November 1994 the observed radio flux was very low, but during the second optical outburst radio bands also showed high flux levels. This is a puzzling observation, which can hopefully be used for discriminating between different outburst models. On top of the large outbursts OJ 287 has displayed flaring activity in time scales from days to weeks and shorter time scale flickering.
- Published
- 2000
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