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Iris-based identification is a well-known and widely used technology. However, its use in mobile devices is limited due to the algorithmic complexity of the existing methods and their low universality with respect to various capturing conditions. A method for finding the iris area by approximating its boundaries by two circles is proposed. The relative error of determining the circle parameters must not exceed 5%. Convolutional neural networks optimized with respect to the number of parameters are applied. The proposed method outperforms the classical (not based on neural networks) methods for solving this segmentation problem. The operation of the proposed method is checked on open iris image databases.

Iris segmentation is an irreplaceable stage of iris recognition pipeline. Its quality hugely affects overall accuracy. Previously when conditions were mild and controlled the task was solved by image processing techniques and rule based approaches. Nowadays widespread of biometric technologies has relaxed operation conditions for such systems demanding more flexible and robust solutions. Constantly increasing data and sensors availability created fertile field for growth of machine learning methods capable to cope with complex conditions. The latest contributions to iris segmentation were made on this surge by leveraging abundant data and modern machine learning algorithms. In spite of previously achieved great results this work addresses even more challenging conditions that allows iris recognition to be used in wide range of real life cases. Novel CNN architectures are proposed in this work. They were designed to combine the latest achievements in classification and semantic segmentation fields. FCN and SegNet architectures have been picked up as prototypes and were strengthened by residual blocks. This allowed to make lightweight networks that could be shipped on various embedded platforms to successfully operate under less controllable environmental conditions. The approach allowed to obtain 0.93 and 0.92 IoU on original and modified CASIA-Iris-Lamp datasets which is a significant improvement in comparison with the results achieved before.

Aseries of N-oxides of N-vinylpyrrolidone and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine copolymers with various degrees of oxidation were prepared via oxidation of the copolymers by peracetic acid. The N-oxidation kinetic rate constants were calculated using UV spectrophotometry. The temperature dependence of the limiting N-oxidation was determined. The molecular-weight characteristics of the N-oxidized copolymers were established using 13C NMR methods. An approach based on direct UV spectrophotometry was proposed for practical monitoring of the reaction completion (degree of conversion).

Photometric, spectral, and polarimetric observations of FG Sge during the stage of increasing activity in its R Coronae Borealis type variability are presented and analyzed. a weakening of the current level of rare transient states of maximum brightness is interpreted as a consequence of increasing optical thickness of a permanent circumstellar envelope. The brightness of the He1-5 nebula in the instrumental system in the Uc and V bands is 20m.69±0m.13 and 23m.01±0m.58 from a square arc second, respectively. Luminosity was not detected in the R, B, and Ic bands.

We present an improved analytical model as well as a new set of multi-wavelength observation of the polarization eclipse of the Wolf-Rayet binary V444 Cygni (WN5+O6). Comparing the model with the observations yields an estimate of the O and Wolf-Rayet star radii as well as of the Wolf-Rayet mass-loss rate. For the O star we find R = 8.5 R⊙ and for the Wolf-Rayet star R ⊙. This values are in agreement with those derived by Cherepashchuk et al. from the detailed analysis of multiwavelength light curves. For the Wolf-Rayet mass-loss rate we obtain M = 7.5 x 10-6M⊙/yr, which is compatible with the dynamical values obtained from the rate of orbital period increase and with the value of dM/dt determined from the orbital double-wave modulation in polarization, but is at least 3 times smaller than the values derived from free-free radio fluxes and modeling of infrared spectral lines. However, no allowance has been made in calculating the mass-loss rates for inhomogeneities, for which evidence is increasing in hot star winds. If the wind of the WR star V444 Cygni is found to be clumpy, the radio/IR mass-loss rates are likely to be overestimated because of their dependency on the square of density. In such case, these values would probably have to be significantly decreased, bringing them closer to the polarization estimates, for which clumpy winds are irrelevant, providing the electron scattering remains optically thin. Full version was published in: Ap. J., 410, 342-356 (1993).

Observations of 79 comparison stars in the fields of seven Seyfert galaxies (Akn 79, Mrk 374, Mrk 382, Mrk 478, Mrk 493, Mrk 618, and Mrk 1513) and a single quasar (CTA 102) are reported. The observations were made with CCD photometry in the B, V, R, and I bands. The stellar magnitudes of these stars in the V band range from 12m.9 to 18m.4. The typical photometric uncertainties for magnitude 15 stars are 0m.008, 0m.011, 0m.009 and 0m.015 in the BVRI bands, respectively. For most of these stars the B, V, R, and I magnitudes have not been known previously. A variable star with brightness variations over a period of P = 0.1705 d was found in the field of the galaxy Mrk 478 and the sampled stars in the field of the galaxy Mrk 1513 include a variable with a period of P = 0.2211 d. These stars may be type W UMa contact binary systems with orbital periods of 0.341 and 0.4422 d, respectively. Finding charts for the comparison stars are included. These results can be used for differential photometry of the AGNs.

We present results of the optical spectral and photometric observations of the nucleus of Markarian 6 made with the 2.6-m Shajn telescope at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. The continuum and emission Balmer line intensities varied more than by a factor of two during 1992-2008. The lag between the continuum and Hbeta emission line flux variations is 21.1+-1.9 days. For the Halpha line the lag is about 27 days but its uncertainty is much larger. We use Monte-Carlo simulation of the random time series to check the effect of our data sampling on the lag uncertainties and we compare our simulation results with those obtained by random subset selection (RSS) method of Peterson et al. (1998). The lag in the high-velocity wings are shorter than in the line core in accordance with the virial motions. However, the lag is slightly larger in the blue wing than in the red wing. This is a signature of the infall gas motion. Probably the BLR kinematic in the Mrk 6 nucleus is a combination of the Keplerian and infall motions. The velocity-delay dependence is similar for individual observational seasons. The measurements of the Hbeta line width in combination with the reverberation lag permits us to determine the black hole mass, M_BH=(1.8+-0.2)x10^8 M_sun. This result is consistent with the AGN scaling relationships between the BLR radius and the optical continuum luminosity (R_BLR is proportional to L^0.5) as well as with the black-hole mass-luminosity relationship (M_BH-L) under the Eddington luminosity ratio for Mrk 6 to be L_bol/L_Edd ~ 0.01.

Long-term monitoring data at five radio frequencies from 4.8 to 37 GHz obtained at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, Metsahovi Radio Observatory of Aalto University, and the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory are used to analyze variations of the flux of the Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) 3C 454.3. The dynamical characteristics of the three latest powerful flares from 2004 to 2010 are analyzed in detail. Observations in the gamma-ray (0.1–300 GeV), X-ray (2–10 kev, 15–50 keV), and optical are also used. Delays in the development of flares at different frequencies are derived. An empirical frequency dependence for the delays of flares from the gamma-ray to the radio is determined, which can be fit using a logarithmic low and remains the same from flare to flare. The physical characteristics of the central region of the AGN 3C 454.3 are used to estimate the size of its Stromgren sphere, taking into account the relevant mechanisms for heating and cooling the medium, as well as the adopted laws for the variation of the density and temperature with distance from the source of ionization. A model for the location of the radiation regions in the jet at various frequency ranges during the development of flares is proposed.

We present the final results from a high sampling rate, multi-month, spectrophotometric reverberation mapping campaign undertaken to obtain either new or improved Hbeta reverberation lag measurements for several relatively low-luminosity AGNs. We have reliably measured thetime delay between variations in the continuum and Hbeta emission line in six local Seyfert 1 galaxies. These measurements are used to calculate the mass of the supermassive black hole at the center of each of these AGNs. We place our results in context to the most current calibration of the broad-line region (BLR) R-L relationship, where our results remove outliers and reduce the scatter at the low-luminosity end of this relationship. We also present velocity-resolved Hbeta time delay measurements for our complete sample, though the clearest velocity-resolved kinematic signatures have already been published., 52 pages (AASTeX: 29 pages of text, 8 tables, 7 figures), accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

Based on our UBV RI observations and X-ray data from the RXTE satellite, we have investigated the variability of the galaxy NGC 7469 over the period 1995–2009. In 1995–2000, the optical brightness of the galactic nucleus changed almost by 1 m in the U band. In 2000–2009, the amplitude of the optical variations was considerably lower. Regular X-ray observations began only in 2003. The X-ray fractional variability amplitude is higher than the optical one. The optical variability amplitude decreases with increasing wavelength. The full width at half maximum of the X-ray and B-band autocorrelation functions is about 8 and 62 days, respectively. The structure functions (SF) in the X-ray range on time scales up to 7 days and in the optical range on time scales up to 100 days have the form of a power law SF(τ) ∼ τ b , where τ is the time shift. On time scales of more than a day, where both structure functions have been determined rather reliably, their slopes differ markedly: b = 1.34 ± 0.06 and b = 0.25 ± 0.05 for the optical and X-ray ranges, respectively. The X-ray and B-band structure functions begin to flatten, respectively, near 6–8 days and on time scales of about 90 days. The observed structure functions can be described by the model of a superposition of independent Gaussian flares whose number changes with duration ω as n(ω) ∼ ω α and whose amplitudes depend on duration as A(ω) ∼ ω β. The flux distribution and the flux-amplitude relation are consistent with the model of a light curve in the form of a superposition of random flares. Once the fast intensity variations have been filtered out on long time scales, the X-ray light curve correlates well with the optical one. No lag of the X-ray variations relative to those in the B band is detected. The light variations in the R and I bands lag behind those in the B band calculated from the centroid of the cross-correlation function by 2.6 and 3.5 days, respectively, at a 3σ confidence level.

A detailed analysis of the data from a high sampling rate, multi-month reverberation mapping campaign, undertaken primarily at MDM Observatory with supporting observations from telescopes around the world, reveals that the Hbeta emission region within the broad line regions (BLRs) of several nearby AGNs exhibit a variety of kinematic behaviors. While the primary goal of this campaign was to obtain either new or improved Hbeta reverberation lag measurements for several relatively low luminosity AGNs (presented in a separate work), we were also able to unambiguously reconstruct velocity-resolved reverberation signals from a subset of our targets. Through high cadence spectroscopic monitoring of the optical continuum and broad Hbeta emission line variations observed in the nuclear regions of NGC 3227, NGC 3516, and NGC 5548, we clearly see evidence for outflowing, infalling, and virialized BLR gas motions, respectively.

Based on our UBV RI observations and X-ray data from the RXTE satellite, we have investigated the variability of the galaxy 3C 120 over the period 1996–2008. The relative variability amplitude in the U and B bands without any subtraction of the contribution from the underlying galaxy is 23 and 22%, respectively, against 21% in the X-ray band. The autocorrelation function based on the B-band data is considerably wider than that based on the X-ray data. The structure functions on a time scale from 1 to ∼100–300 days in the X-ray and optical spectral ranges have the form of a power law (SF ∼ τb). However, their indices differ significantly: b = 0.42 in the X-ray band and b = 1.36 in the B band. Considering the X-ray and optical variabilities as a superposition of independent flares in a wide range of durations, we may conclude that the amplitudes of short flares in the X-ray band are higher than those in the optical one and, conversely, the relative amplitudes of long flares in the X-ray band are slightly lower than those in the optical one, i.e., short events dominate in the X-ray band. The optical flux variations in the Rc and Ic bands lag significantly behind those in the B band, by 3.9−0.7+1.0 and 6.2−0.6+1.1 days, respectively, if the lag is estimated from the centroid of the cross-correlation function. The X-ray variability on a time scale of about 1800 days (∼5 yr) lags behind the B-band variations by 5.3−3.3+2.7 days, but the confidence level of this estimate is only 87%. A more detailed analysis of the correlation between the X-ray and optical emissions has revealed a fairly complex picture: different degrees of correlation between the optical and X-ray fluxes are observed at different times.

We present the results of polarimetric and photometric observations of dynamically new comet C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) at phase angles from 6° to 26°. During the observations, the comet was at a distance of 2.7–1.3 AU from the Sun and 1.7–2.0 AU from the Earth. The aperture polarimetry was made with the 2.6-m Shain telescope and the 1.25-m AZT-11 telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory and with the 0.7-m telescope of the Astronomical Institute of the Kharkiv National University during the period from November 21, 2003, to February 21, 2004. The wideband UBVRI and WRC (λ7228/1142 A) filters and the narrowband GC (λ5260/56 A) filter were used. The photometric observations of the comet were carried out on February 21, 2004, with narrowband filters isolated the BC (λ4845/65 A) and RC (λ6840/90 A) continuum and the C2 emission (λ5140/90 A). The phase-angle dependence of linear polarization of the comet has been obtained, and its parameters, such as the minimal polarization P min = −1.63%, the phase angle of the minimal polarization αmin = 10.6°, the inversion angle αinv = 22.7°, and the slope of the phase curve at the inversion angle h = 0.24% per degree, were found. From the photometric observations, the following quantities have been obtained: the column density of molecules C2 in the line of sight logN (C2) = −9.15 mol/cm2 and their production rate log Q (C2) = 27.11 mol/s, the spectral gradient of reflectivity for the dust S′(BC, RC) ≈ 3%/1000 A, and the dust production parameter Afρ equal to 371 and 273 cm for the blue and red continuum ranges, respectively. According to these results, the physical parameters of comet C/2002 T7 are close to the average characteristics of typical dusty comets.

The BL Lac-type object 3C 66A was observed at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory during the international project OJ-94. Observations were made over 10 nights from February through December 2003 at the Cassegrain focus of the 125-cm AZT-11 telescope with a photopolarimeter capable of simultaneous measurements in the UBVRI bands. In the course of our measurements the brightness of the object increased by more than 1 magnitude in all these bands. Its color indices varied and the degree of polarization decreased from ∼16% in February to ∼3% at the end of our observations. In December 2003 a rapid change in the position angle from 15° to 40° was noticed. The spectral energy distribution Fn is well described by a power law with a spectral index a (Fν ∝ ν −α . The increase in brightness was accompanied by a reduction in the spectral index. The most probable mechanism for the observed changes in the brightness, degree of polarization, and spectral index may be a decrease in the magnetic field strength or a change in its configuration owing to a increase in the chaotic component of the field.

We present results of imaging and aperture polarimetry of the dust of comet 2P/Encke at phase angles 91–105°, obtained during the 2003 apparition. We investigate how strongly molecular emissions transmitted by the filters used in the observations can affect the resulting polarization of cometary dust. This problem is of particular importance for so-called gas-rich comets like comet 2P/Encke which has particularly strong molecular emission as compared to its dust continuum. Aperture polarimetry in the wide-band UBVR filters was performed at the 2.6-m Shain telescope and 1.25-m telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory on November 17–24. From these measurements a dust polarization of ≈ % is derived, which puts the comet in the class of comets with low polarization. The imaging observations of comet 2P/Encke were carried out at the 2-m telescope of the Bulgarian National Astronomical Observatory on November 20–22, 2003. Narrow-band filters centered on the 0–7–0 transition of the A 2A_1 – 2B_1 electronic band system of NH2 (662 nm) and on an adjacent red continuum at 642 nm were employed. The polarization of NH2 averaged over the 0–7–0 vibronic transition amounts to ≈ % at phase angles close 90°, similar to the polarization of the two-atomic molecules CN and C2 . The dust polarization however, when corrected for the effect of molecular emissions, is larger than 30%. We conclude that the division of comets into two polarimetric classes with one class having in the visual wavelength range a maximum polarization less than 20% is caused by ignoring the contribution of molecular emission and therefore is an artifact. Whether the comet displays a strong silicate feature (i.e. its dust grains are small) or not, the dust polarization is high.

Results are presented from CCD BVRI-observations of 145 comparison stars in the neighborhoods of 14 Seyfert galaxies, 3 quasars, and 5 BL Lac objects with right ascensions of 12 to 24 hours. The magnitudes of the observed stars ranged from V=11 to V=17. The typical photometric error for stars brighter V=14 is 0m.01. The B, V, Rc, and Ic magnitudes of most of these stars were not known previously. 14′ x 14′ finding charts are provided. These results can be used for differential photometry of the nuclei of active galaxies in the B, V, Rc, and Ic bands.

The highlights of the recent study of variable stars of different types are discussed. We present some results (out of more than 500 papers) and plans for the further studies within bi- or multi-la...

A large reverberation mapping study of the Seyfert 1 galaxy NGC 7469 has yielded emission-line lags for Hbeta 4861 and He II 4686 and a central black hole mass measurement of about 10 million solar masses, consistent with previous measurements. A very low level of variability during the monitoring campaign precluded meeting our original goal of recovering velocity-delay maps from the data, but with the new Hbeta measurement, NGC 7469 is no longer an outlier in the relationship between the size of the Hbeta-emitting broad-line region and the AGN luminosity. It was necessary to detrend the continuum and Hbeta and He II 4686 line light curves and those from archival UV data for different time-series analysis methods to yield consistent results., Comment: 9 Pages, 7 figures, 6 tables. Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal

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.

The UBV observations of UV Cas during 1996–1999 show mostly irregular light variations. The VB light variations on time scales from one day to two weeks have a smaller amplitude than those on longer time. scales. The amplitude of the UBV light variations on time scales from 20 to 200 days reaches \(0\mathop .\limits^m 4\), \(0\mathop .\limits^m 3\), and \(0\mathop .\limits^m 2\), respectively. The colors of UV Cas do not correspond to G5 supergiants, but are more similar to the colors of G0 I stars at substantial U-B color excesses. A comparison of the energy distribution for UV Cas, as constructed from the broadband UBVRI observations in 1982, with the energy distribution for G0 supergiants reveals enhanced near-infrared and ultraviolet emission, which can be attributed to unusual chemical composition of the star. The polarization of light from UV Cas in quiescence is mainly interstellar in origin, although the presence of weak intrinsic polarization produced by the gas-dust circumstellar medium cannot be ruled out either. The strength of C I lines in the spectrum of UV Cas confirms that it belongs to R CrB stars, as well as the conclusion of Orlov and Rodriguez that carbon is appreciably overabundant. The atmospheric metal underabundance in UV Cas may be larger than has been thought previously. The line broadening is σ=10.7 km s−1. The star’s effective temperature appears to be higher than 5500 K. The radial velocity of UV Cas measured from metal and carbon lines is −31.17±0.38 km s−1. The Na I D lines have a split profile, with the two absorbing clouds observed toward UV Cas at distances

Since the launch of the Fermi satellite, BL Lacertae has been moderately active at gamma-rays and optical frequencies until May 2011, when the source started a series of strong flares. The exceptional optical sampling achieved by the GLAST-AGILE Support Program (GASP) of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) in collaboration with the Steward Observatory allows us to perform a detailed comparison with the daily gamma-ray observations by Fermi. Discrete correlation analysis between the optical and gamma-ray emission reveals correlation with a time lag of 0 +- 1 d, which suggests cospatiality of the corresponding jet emitting regions. A better definition of the time lag is hindered by the daily gaps in the sampling of the extremely fast flux variations. In general, optical flares present more structure and develop on longer time scales than corresponding gamma-ray flares. Observations at X-rays and at millimetre wavelengths reveal a common trend, which suggests that the region producing the mm and X-ray radiation is located downstream from the optical and gamma-ray-emitting zone in the jet. The mean optical degree of polarisation slightly decreases over the considered period and in general it is higher when the flux is lower. The optical electric vector polarisation angle (EVPA) shows a preferred orientation of about 15 deg, nearly aligned with the radio core EVPA and mean jet direction. Oscillations around it increase during the 2011-2012 outburst. We investigate the effects of a geometrical interpretation of the long-term flux variability on the polarisation. A helical magnetic field model predicts an evolution of the mean polarisation that is in reasonable agreement with the observations. These can be fully explained by introducing slight variations in the compression factor in a transverse shock waves model., 17 pages, 17 figures, 1 table, accepted for publication in MNRAS

Polarimetric observations of the high-albedo asteroid 64 Angelina were done for the purpose of searching for a polarization opposition effect at phase angles of less than 2.4°. We have found a second inversion angle of about 1.5° and positive polarization of 0.5% at a phase angle of 0.5°. For comparison the polarimetric observations of Comet P/Ashbrook–Jackson are given. Different theoretical approaches to the explanation of this phenomenon are discussed.

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 is less than or approximately 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 blazard, being a factor of less than orapproximately 20 lower than the maximum recorded one.

We present the results from a detailed analysis of photometric and spectrophotometric data on five Seyfert 1 galaxies observed as a part of a recent reverberation mapping program. The data were collected at several observatories over a 140-day span beginning in 2010 August and ending in 2011 January. We obtained high sampling-rate light curves for Mrk 335, Mrk 1501, 3C120, Mrk 6, and PG2130+099, from which we have measured the time lag between variations in the 5100 Angstrom continuum and the H-beta broad emission line. We then used these measurements to calculate the mass of the supermassive black hole at the center of each of these galaxies. Our new measurements substantially improve previous measurements of MBH and the size of the broad line-emitting region for four sources and add a measurement for one new object. Our new measurements are consistent with photoionization physics regulating the location of the broad line region in active galactic nuclei., 45 pages, 5 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ. For a brief video explaining the key results of this paper, see http://www.youtube.com/user/OSUAstronomy

Since 2005, the blazar 3C 454.3 has shown remarkable flaring activity at all frequencies, and during the last four years it has exhibited more than one gamma-ray flare per year, becoming the most active gamma-ray blazar in the sky. We present for the first time the multi-wavelength AGILE, SWIFT, INTEGRAL, and GASP-WEBT data collected in order to explain the extraordinary gamma-ray flare of 3C 454.3 which occurred in November 2010. On 2010 November 20 (MJD 55520), 3C 454.3 reached a peak flux (E>100 MeV) of F_gamma(p) = (6.8+-1.0)E-5 ph/cm2/s on a time scale of about 12 hours, more than a factor of 6 higher than the flux of the brightest steady gamma-ray source, the Vela pulsar, and more than a factor of 3 brighter than its previous super-flare on 2009 December 2-3. The multi-wavelength data make a thorough study of the present event possible: the comparison with the previous outbursts indicates a close similarity to the one that occurred in 2009. By comparing the broadband emission before, during, and after the gamma-ray flare, we find that the radio, optical and X-ray emission varies within a factor 2-3, whereas the gamma-ray flux by a factor of 10. This remarkable behavior is modeled by an external Compton component driven by a substantial local enhancement of soft seed photons., Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters. 18 Pages, 4 Figures, 1 Table

We present further results of the optical observations of the 3C 390.3 nucleus undertaken at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory since 1992. From the new data obtained in 2000–2007, we find differences in the responses of the Balmer emission lines to the optical continuum variations. Moreover, these responses (i.e. the relationship between line and continuum fluxes) show long-term changes that can be presumably attributed to the evolution of the relationship between the fluxes of the optical and driving continua. We suspect that some small discrepancy between our spectral and photometric measurements of 3C 390.3 can be attributed to the longterm variability of the [O III] λ 5007 A forbidden line. The cross-correlation analysis of the light curves let us to improve the values of the time delays between continuum and emission-line variations: τcent = 94 ± 6 and 174 ± 16 d for the Hβ and Hα lines, respectively. The black hole mass, derived from the Hβ line, was found to be 2.0 × 10 9 M� . This result suggests an even larger black hole mass for the 3C 390.3 nucleus and, therefore, a lower accretion rate under a given luminosity than was previously thought and thus it provides more evidence for anticorrelation between broad-line widths and Eddington luminosity ratiosLbol/LEdd in AGNs.

This book outlines the basic physical principles and practical methods of polarimetric remote sensing of Solar System objects and summarizes numerous advanced applications of polarimetry in geophysics and planetary astrophysics. In the first chapter we present a complete and rigorous theory of electromagnetic scattering by disperse media directly based on the Maxwell equations and describe advanced physically based modeling tools. This is followed, in Chapter 2, by a theoretical analysis of polarimetry as a remote-sensing tool and an outline of basic principles of polarimetric measurements and their practical implementations. In Chapters 3 and 4, we describe the results of extensive ground-based, aircraft, and spacecraft observations of numerous Solar System objects (the Earth and other planets, planetary satellites, Saturn's rings, asteroids, trans-Neptunian objects, and comets). Theoretical analyses of these data are used to retrieve optical and physical characteristics of planetary surfaces and atmospheres as well as to identify a number of new phenomena and effects. This monograph is intended for science professionals, educators, and graduate students specializing in remote sensing, astrophysics, atmospheric physics, optics of disperse and disordered media, and optical particle characterization.

We have gathered optical photometry data from the literature on a large sample of Swift-era gamma-ray burst (GRB) afterglows including GRBs up to September 2009, for a total of 76 GRBs, and present an additional three pre-Swift GRBs not included in an earlier sample. Furthermore, we publish 840 additional new photometry data points on a total of 42 GRB afterglows, including large data sets for GRBs 050319, 050408, 050802, 050820A, 050922C, 060418, 080413A and 080810. We analyzed the light curves of all GRBs in the sample and derived spectral energy distributions for the sample with the best data quality, allowing us to estimate the host galaxy extinction. We transformed the afterglow light curves into an extinction-corrected z=1 system and compared their luminosities with a sample of pre-Swift afterglows. The results of a former study, which showed that GRB afterglows clustered and exhibited a bimodal distribution in luminosity space, is weakened by the larger sample. We found that the luminosity distribution of the two afterglow samples (Swift-era and pre-Swift) are very similar, and that a subsample for which we were not able to estimate the extinction, which is fainter than the main sample, can be explained by assuming a moderate amount of line-of-sight host extinction. We derived bolometric isotropic energies for all GRBs in our sample, and found only a tentative correlation between the prompt energy release and the optical afterglow luminosity at one day after the GRB in the z=1 system. A comparative study of the optical luminosities of GRB afterglows with echelle spectra (which show a high number of foreground absorbing systems) and those without reveals no indication that the former are statistically significantly more luminous. (abridged), Comment: ApJ, in press; 65 pages in journal format; 20 pages main text, 18 pages Appendix, 5 pages references, 6 tables (21 pages), 9 figures, 840 original data points; v4: Updated references and acknowledgements, corrected mistake in table 1

We present radio-to-optical data taken by the WEBT, supplemented by VLBA and RXTE observations, of 3C 279. Our goal is to use this extensive database to draw inferences regarding the physics of the relativistic jet. We assemble multifrequency light curves with data from 30 ground-based observatories and the space-based instruments, along with linear polarization vs. time in the optical R band. In addition, we present a sequence of 22 images (with polarization vectors) at 43 GHz at resolution 0.15 milliarcsec, obtained with the VLBA. We analyse the light curves and polarization, as well as the spectral energy distributions at different epochs, corresponding to different brightness states. The IR-optical-UV continuum spectrum of the variable component corresponds to a power law with a constant slope of -1.6, while in the 2.4-10 keV X-ray band it varies in slope from -1.1 to -1.6. The steepest X-ray spectrum occurs at a flux minimum. During a decline in flux from maximum in late 2006, the optical and 43 GHz core polarization vectors rotate by ~300 degrees. The continuum spectrum agrees with steady injection of relativistic electrons with a power-law energy distribution of slope -3.2 that is steepened to -4.2 at high energies by radiative losses. The X-ray emission at flux minimum comes most likely from a new component that starts in an upstream section of the jet where inverse Compton scattering of seed photons from outside the jet is important. The rotation of the polarization vector implies that the jet contains a helical magnetic field that extends ~20 pc past the 43 GHz core., 12 pages, aa.cls style; accepted for publication in A&A

In spring 2005 the blazar 3C 454.3 was observed in an unprecedented bright state from the near-IR to the hard X-ray frequencies. A mm outburst peaked in June-July 2005, and it was followed by a flux increase at high radio frequencies. In this paper we report on multifrequency monitoring by the WEBT aimed at following the further evolution of the outburst in detail. In particular, we investigate the expected correlation and time delays between the optical and radio emissions in order to derive information on the variability mechanisms and jet structure. A comparison among the light curves at different frequencies is performed by means of visual inspection and discrete correlation function, and the results are interpreted with a simple model taking into account Doppler factor variations of geometric origin. The high-frequency radio light curves show a huge outburst starting during the dimming phase of the optical one and lasting more than 1 year. The first phase is characterized by a slow flux increase, while in early 2006 a major flare is observed. The lower-frequency radio light curves show a progressively delayed and fainter event, which disappears below 8 GHz. We suggest that the radio major peak is not physically connected with the spring 2005 optical one, but it is actually correlated with a minor optical flare observed in October-November 2005. This interpretation involves both an intrinsic and a geometric mechanism. The former is represented by disturbances travelling down the emitting jet, the latter being due to the curved-jet motion, with the consequent differential changes of viewing angles of the different emitting regions., Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, to be published in A&A (Letters)

We present velocity-resolved reverberation results for five active galactic nuclei. We recovered velocity-delay maps using the maximum entropy method for four objects: Mrk 335, Mrk 1501, 3C?120, and PG?2130+099. For the fifth, Mrk 6, we were only able to measure mean time delays in different velocity bins of the H? emission line. The four velocity-delay maps show unique dynamical signatures for each object. For 3C?120, the Balmer lines show kinematic signatures consistent with both an inclined disk and infalling gas, but the He II??4686 emission line is suggestive only of inflow. The Balmer lines in Mrk 335, Mrk 1501, and PG?2130+099 show signs of infalling gas, but the He II emission in Mrk 335 is consistent with an inclined disk. We also see tentative evidence of combined virial motion and infalling gas from the velocity-binned analysis of Mrk 6. The maps for 3C?120 and Mrk 335 are two of the most clearly defined velocity-delay maps to date. These maps constitute a large increase in the number of objects for which we have resolved velocity-delay maps and provide evidence supporting the reliability of reverberation-based black hole mass measurements.

We present the first results from a detailed analysis of photometric and spectrophotometric data on the narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy Mrk 335, collected over a 120-day span in the fall of 2010. From these data we measure the lag in the He II 4686 broad emission line relative to the optical continuum to be 2.7 \pm 0.6 days and the lag in the H\beta 4861 broad emission line to be 13.9 \pm 0.9 days. Combined with the line width, the He II lag yields a black hole mass, MBH = (2.6 \pm 0.8)\times 10^7 Msun. This measurement is consistent with measurements made using the H\beta 4861 line, suggesting that the He II emission originates in the same region as H\beta, but at a much smaller radius. This constitutes the first robust lag measurement for a high-ionization line in a narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy., Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. Accepted for publication in ApJ Letters. For a brief video explaining the key results of this paper, see http://www.youtube.com/user/OSUAstronomy#p/a/u/0/Z2UCxQG5iOo

The object BZ Cam = 0623+71 (Krautter et al., 1987) was observed at the telescope AZT-11 of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory by using the UBVRI photometer-polarimeter of the Helsinki University (Korhonen et al., 1984). No significant linear polarization was found, the mean values have the upper limit of 0.2 per cent.

We present some very preliminary results of the multifrequency microvariability campaign of two BL Lac objects OJ 287 and Mk 421 carried out mainly during four days in March 1993. During these four days also IUE was observing these blazars. In this poster we present only a small part of the whole data: radio observations at Metsähovi, CCD observations on La Palma and Heidelberg and UBVRI photopolarimetric observations at Crimea. Because of the very bad global weather conditions and also because of the faintnes of OJ 287 our optical observations were very limited.

The results are given of simultaneous UBVRI observations of the dwarf nova SS Aur. In two of the three observation nights, a fading from the normal brightness in the quiescent state, from V = 14 /sup m/ .7 to 15 /sup m/ .5, was noted. In the state of reduced brightness, the energy distribution of the star can be well described by a sum of two Planck curves with temperatures 25,000degreeK and 3,000degreeK, these evidently corresponding to radiation of the white and red dwarfs in the system. The spectrum of the radiation responsible for the brightening of the system on the average to V = 14 /sup m.7/ is close to a disk spectrum with F..lambda.. about ..lambda..- /sup 2.33/. In addition, the system is subject to rapid variations of the light with characteristic time 20-40 min, these increasing in the short-wavelength part of the spectrum and reaching 0 /sup m.7/ in the U band. The intensity of these variations increases with the general increase in the brightness of the star. It is shown that in one of the nights when the star was in the state of reduced brightness these variations were periodic in nature with P = 21more » min.« less

Multicolour linear polarization of optical radiation of the X-ray sources Sco X-1, Cyg X-2, Cyg X-1 and Her X-1 was measured at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in 1970–1973. These observations indicate that polarization of Sco X-1 in the ultraviolet, blue and red spectral regions appears to be variable. No statistically significant variations of polarization were found for the other three sources observed.

For the first time five-color light curves have been obtained for the radiation of N Her 1934 which embrace practically the whole orbital cycle of the system. The observations were carried out with a time resolution of 25-45 sec on the 1.25-m AZT-11 telescope at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory of the USSR Academy of Sciences in 1982-1983 in five broad-band filters close to the standard bands of the UBVRI system. The shape of the light curves, and also the magnitudes of the brightness in eclipse and outside it, vary in the course of a month and a day; this was observed both in 1954-1956 and in 1975. In comparison with 1978, the out-of-eclipse brightness of the system increased considerably, and practically attained the level of 1954. Within eclipse the luminosity of DQ Her varied only insignificantly. Consequently, the increase in the outof-eclipse brightness of the system was due to the increase in the power of the radiation of its main component. This fact, and also the qualitative similarity of the photometric behavior of DQ Her and the dwarf novae, indicate an increase in the activity of the main component of the system in comparison with its activity in 1954-1978. Itmore » is possible that almost 50 years after the outburst of the nova in 1934 in the DQ Her system, the conditions have arisen for the development of the next stage in its activity.« less

Observations of regular and irregular polarimetric variability in late-type stars are reviewed, and the related physical and geometrical effects are discussed. There are indications that the irregular part of the variability could be caused by transient events, possibly associated with flares. Polarimetric observations during flares are reviewed, and preliminary results of new observations of a well-known flare star, YY Geminorum, are presented. The results show that the small flare in YY Gem did not cause any significant variations in linear polarization, while the binary eclipse evidently causes an enhancement in the polarization. The reasons for the difficulties in stellar flare polarimetry are discussed. Finally, future prospects for the observations of flaring stars and for the utilization of linear polarimetry as a complementary method to other techniques of surface imaging of stellar activity and flares are presented.