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A Highly Magnetic Ultra Massive White Dwarf with a 23-minute Rotation Period
Authors:
Jincheng Guo,
Xiaofeng Wang,
Qichun Liu,
Alexei V. Filippenko,
Thomas G. Brink,
Jingkun Zhao,
WeiKang Zhang,
Yi Yang,
Jie Lin,
Haowei Peng,
Hailiang Chen,
Davron O. Mirzaqulov,
Shuhrat A. Ehgamberdiev,
Bin Ma,
Jun Mo,
Cheng Liu,
Gaobo Xi,
Xiaojun Jiang,
Danfeng Xiang,
Jicheng Zhang
Abstract:
We present a physical characterization of TMTS J00063798+3104160 (J0006), a rapidly rotating,ultra-massive white dwarf (WD) identified in high-cadence light curves from the Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Telescope for Survey (TMTS). A coherent 23-minute periodicity is detected in TMTS, TESS, and ZTF photometry. A time series of low-resolution spectra with the Keck-I 10 m telescope reveals broad, s…
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We present a physical characterization of TMTS J00063798+3104160 (J0006), a rapidly rotating,ultra-massive white dwarf (WD) identified in high-cadence light curves from the Tsinghua University-Ma Huateng Telescope for Survey (TMTS). A coherent 23-minute periodicity is detected in TMTS, TESS, and ZTF photometry. A time series of low-resolution spectra with the Keck-I 10 m telescope reveals broad, shallow hydrogen absorption features indicative of an extreme magnetic field and shows no evidence for radial-velocity variations. Atmospheric modeling yields a magnetic field strength of $\sim$ 250 MG, while Gaia astrometry and photometry imply a mass of 1.06 $\pm$ 0.01 M$_{\odot}$. A significant infrared excess is detected in the WISE W1 band and is well fitted by a 550 K blackbody, likely arising from residual material of a merger. We interpret the 23-minute photometric modulation as the rotation period of an isolated, massive WD formed likely through the merger of a double WD binary. With one of the shortest rotation periods known among candidate merger remnants and with constraints from a deep Einstein Probe X-ray nondetection, J0006 provides a rare and important observational window into the poorly explored intermediate stages of post-merger evolution.
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Submitted 15 January, 2026;
originally announced January 2026.
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First detection of VHE gamma-ray signal from the FSRQ TON 0599
Authors:
MAGIC Collaboration,
K. Abe,
S. Abe,
J. Abhir,
A. Abhishek,
V. A. Acciari,
A. Aguasca-Cabot,
I. Agudo,
T. Aniello,
S. Ansoldi,
L. A. Antonelli,
A. Arbet Engels,
C. Arcaro,
K. Asano,
A. Babić,
U. Barres de Almeida,
J. A. Barrio,
L. Barrios-Jiménez,
I. Batković,
J. Baxter,
J. Becerra González,
W. Bednarek,
E. Bernardini,
J. Bernete,
A. Berti
, et al. (223 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
TON\,0599 (z=0.7247) belongs to the few flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) detected in the very high energy (VHE, $E > 100$\,GeV) gamma-ray band. Its redshift makes it currently one of the farthest VHE gamma-ray sources. It was detected for the first time with the MAGIC telescopes on 2017 December 15, and observed until December 29. The flux reached a maximum of about 50 per cent of the Crab Nebu…
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TON\,0599 (z=0.7247) belongs to the few flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) detected in the very high energy (VHE, $E > 100$\,GeV) gamma-ray band. Its redshift makes it currently one of the farthest VHE gamma-ray sources. It was detected for the first time with the MAGIC telescopes on 2017 December 15, and observed until December 29. The flux reached a maximum of about 50 per cent of the Crab Nebula flux above 80 GeV on the second night of observation, after which we witnessed a gradual decrease of the flux. The VHE gamma-ray spectrum connects smoothly to the one in the high energy ($E > 100$\,MeV) band obtained from simultaneous observations with {\textit Fermi}-LAT. It features a cut-off at energies around 50\,GeV, indicating the location of the gamma-ray emission zone beyond the broad line region. In addition, we were able to follow the spectral evolution during the fading phase of the flare. Multiwavelength analysis based on observations in optical, near-infrared, and radio bands acquired by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) Collaboration from November to March, as well as observations in X-ray and optical--UV bands with instruments on board the \textit{Swift} satellite, shows strong correlation between different bands. We model the broadband emission with a simple one-zone leptonic model, where the high-energy peak is predominantly produced by external Compton (EC) scattering of photons from the dusty torus.
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Submitted 14 March, 2026; v1 submitted 7 January, 2026;
originally announced January 2026.
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Multiband optical variability on diverse timescales of the blazar Ton 599 from 2011 to 2023
Authors:
O. Vince,
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
A. C. Gupta,
J. Kovačević-Dojčinović,
M. Lakićević,
L. Č. Popović,
P. Kushwaha,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
S. A. Ehgamberdiev,
D. Carosati,
S. G. Jorstad,
A. P. Marscher,
Z. R. Weaver,
J. R. Webb,
P. S. Smith,
W. P. Chen,
A. Tsai,
H. C. Lin,
G. A. Borman,
T. S. Grishina,
V. A. Hagen-Thorn,
E. N. Kopatskaya,
E. G. Larionova,
V. M. Larionov
, et al. (50 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
(Shortened)Context: We analyze the optical variability of the FSRQ Ton 599 using BVRI photometry from the WEBT collaboration (2011-2023), complemented by photometric and spectroscopic data from the Steward Observatory.\\ Aims: To characterize short- and long-term optical variability -- including flux distributions, intranight changes, color evolution, and spectra -- to constrain physical parameter…
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(Shortened)Context: We analyze the optical variability of the FSRQ Ton 599 using BVRI photometry from the WEBT collaboration (2011-2023), complemented by photometric and spectroscopic data from the Steward Observatory.\\ Aims: To characterize short- and long-term optical variability -- including flux distributions, intranight changes, color evolution, and spectra -- to constrain physical parameters and processes in the central engine.\\ Methods: We tested flux distributions in each filter against normal and log-normal, explored the RMS-flux relation and derived PSDs. We quantified intranight variability using a $χ^2$ test and fractional variability. From variability timescales, we estimated the emitting region size and magnetic field. Long-term variability was studied by segmenting the light curve into 12 intervals and analyzing flux statistics. For multi-filter flares, we computed spectral slopes, redshift-corrected fluxes, monochromatic luminosities and generated Color-magnitude and color-time diagrams. From low-flux spectra, we measured Mg II line and estimated the black hole mass.\\ Results: Ton 599 showed strong optical variability. Log-normal distributions fit the fluxes better, and all bands show a positive RMS-flux relation with red-noise PSDs.Intranight variability is detected, and used in constraining the emission region and magnetic field.The R band reaches a peak flux of 23.5 mJy, corresponding to a monochromatic luminosity of $log(νLν)= 48.48 [erg/s]$. We found a redder-when-brighter trend at low fluxes (thermal), achromatic behavior at intermediate levels (possibly due to jet orientation changes), and a bluer-when-brighter trend at high fluxes (synchrotron). Long-term color changes are modest, short-term are significant, with a negative correlation between the amplitude of color changes and the average flux. The estimated SMBH mass is order of $10^8 M_\odot$.
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Submitted 26 December, 2025;
originally announced December 2025.
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Optical and Near-infrared Observations of SN 2023ixf for over 600 days after the Explosion
Authors:
Gaici Li,
Xiaofeng Wang,
Yi Yang,
A. Pastorello,
A. Reguitti,
G. Valerin,
P. Ochner,
Yongzhi Cai,
T. Iijima,
U. Munari,
I. Salmaso,
A. Farina,
R. Cazzola,
N. Trabacchin,
S. Fiscale,
S. Ciroi,
A. Mura,
A. Siviero,
F. Cabras,
M. Pabst,
S. Taubenberger,
C. Vogl,
C. Fiorin,
Jialian Liu,
Liyang Chen
, et al. (15 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
Context.We present a comprehensive photometric and spectroscopic study of the nearby Type II supernova (SN) 2023ixf, with our extensive observations spanning the phases from ~3 to over 600 days after the first light.\\ Aims.The aim of this study is to obtain key information on the explosion properties of SN\,2023ixf and the nature of its progenitor.\\ Methods.The observational properties of SN\,20…
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Context.We present a comprehensive photometric and spectroscopic study of the nearby Type II supernova (SN) 2023ixf, with our extensive observations spanning the phases from ~3 to over 600 days after the first light.\\ Aims.The aim of this study is to obtain key information on the explosion properties of SN\,2023ixf and the nature of its progenitor.\\ Methods.The observational properties of SN\,2023ixf are compared with those of a sample of Type IIP/L SNe to investigate commonalities and diversities. We conduct a detailed analysis of temporal evolution of major spectral features observed throughout different phases of the SN\,2023ixf explosion. Several interpretations are addressed through a comparison between the data and the model spectra for progenitor stars within a range of zero-age main sequence (ZAMS) masses.\\ Results.Our observations indicate that SN\,2023ixf is a transitional SN that bridges the gap between Type IIP and IIL subclasses of H-rich SNe, characterized by a relatively short plateau ($\lesssim 70$\,d) in the light curve. It shows a rather prompt spectroscopic evolution toward the nebular phase; emission lines of Na, O, H, and Ca in nebular spectra all exhibit multipeak profiles, which might be attributed to bipolar distribution of the ejecta. In particular, the H$α$ profile can be separated into two central peaked components (with a velocity of about 1500\,km\,s$^{-1}$) that is likely due to nickel-powered ejecta and two outer peak/box components (with a velocity extending up to ~8000 km\,s$^{-1}$) that can arise from interaction of the outermost ejecta with a circumstellar shell at a distance of $\sim6.2\times10^{15}$cm. The nebular-phase spectra of SN\,2023ixf show good agreement with those predicted by model spectra for progenitor stars with a ZAMS mass ranging from 15 to 19\,M${_\odot}$. A distance $D = 6.35^{+0.31}_{-0.39}$\,Mpc is estimated for M101.
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Submitted 4 April, 2025;
originally announced April 2025.
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A wiggling filamentary jet at the origin of the blazar multi-wavelength behaviour
Authors:
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
M. I. Carnerero,
S. O. Kurtanidze,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
E. Benítez,
G. Bonnoli,
D. Carosati,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
I. Agudo,
T. S. Andreeva,
G. Apolonio,
R. Bachev,
G. A. Borman,
V. Bozhilov,
L. F. Brown,
W. Carbonell,
C. Casadio,
W. P. Chen,
G. Damljanovic,
S. A. Ehgamberdiev,
D. Elsaesser,
J. Escudero,
M. Feige,
A. Fuentes
, et al. (74 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
Blazars are beamed active galactic nuclei known for their strong multi-wavelength variability on timescales from years down to minutes. We aim to investigate the suitability of the twisting jet model presented in previous works to explain the multi-wavelength behaviour of BL Lacertae, the prototype of one of the blazar classes. According to this model, the jet is inhomogeneous, curved, and twistin…
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Blazars are beamed active galactic nuclei known for their strong multi-wavelength variability on timescales from years down to minutes. We aim to investigate the suitability of the twisting jet model presented in previous works to explain the multi-wavelength behaviour of BL Lacertae, the prototype of one of the blazar classes. According to this model, the jet is inhomogeneous, curved, and twisting, and the long-term variability is due to changes in the Doppler factor due to variations in the orientation of the jet-emitting regions. We analysed optical data of the source obtained during monitoring campaigns organised by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) in 2019-2022, together with radio data from the WEBT and other teams, and gamma-ray data from the Fermi satellite. In this period, BL Lacertae underwent an extraordinary activity phase, reaching its historical optical and gamma-ray brightness maxima. The application of the twisting jet model to the source light curves allows us to infer the wiggling motion of the optical, radio, and gamma-ray jet-emitting regions. The optical-radio correlation shows that the changes in the radio viewing angle follow those in the optical viewing angle by about 120 days, and it suggests that the jet is composed of plasma filaments, which is in agreement with some radio high-resolution observations of other sources. The gamma-ray emitting region is found to be co-spatial with the optical one, and the analysis of the gamma-optical correlation is consistent with both the geometric interpretation and a synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) origin of the high-energy photons. We propose a geometric scenario where the jet is made up of a pair of emitting plasma filaments in a sort of double-helix curved rotating structure, whose wiggling motion produces changes in the Doppler beaming and can thus explain the observed multi-wavelength long-term variability.
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Submitted 29 October, 2024;
originally announced October 2024.
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The variability patterns of the TeV blazar PG 1553+113 from a decade of MAGIC and multi-band observations
Authors:
MAGIC Collaboration,
H. Abe,
S. Abe,
J. Abhir,
V. A. Acciari,
I. Agudo,
T. Aniello,
S. Ansoldi,
L. A. Antonelli,
A. Arbet Engels,
C. Arcaro,
M. Artero,
K. Asano,
D. Baack,
A. Babić,
A. Baquero,
U. Barres de Almeida,
I. Batković,
J. Baxter,
J. Becerra González,
E. Bernardini,
J. Bernete,
A. Berti,
J. Besenrieder,
C. Bigongiari
, et al. (242 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
PG 1553+113 is one of the few blazars with a convincing quasi-periodic emission in the gamma-ray band. The source is also a very high-energy (VHE; >100 GeV) gamma-ray emitter. To better understand its properties and identify the underlying physical processes driving its variability, the MAGIC Collaboration initiated a multiyear, multiwavelength monitoring campaign in 2015 involving the OVRO 40-m a…
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PG 1553+113 is one of the few blazars with a convincing quasi-periodic emission in the gamma-ray band. The source is also a very high-energy (VHE; >100 GeV) gamma-ray emitter. To better understand its properties and identify the underlying physical processes driving its variability, the MAGIC Collaboration initiated a multiyear, multiwavelength monitoring campaign in 2015 involving the OVRO 40-m and Medicina radio telescopes, REM, KVA, and the MAGIC telescopes, Swift and Fermi satellites, and the WEBT network. The analysis presented in this paper uses data until 2017 and focuses on the characterization of the variability. The gamma-ray data show a (hint of a) periodic signal compatible with literature, but the X-ray and VHE gamma-ray data do not show statistical evidence for a periodic signal. In other bands, the data are compatible with the gamma-ray period, but with a relatively high p-value. The complex connection between the low and high-energy emission and the non-monochromatic modulation and changes in flux suggests that a simple one-zone model is unable to explain all the variability. Instead, a model including a periodic component along with multiple emission zones is required.
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Submitted 4 March, 2024;
originally announced March 2024.
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Extreme photometric and polarimetric variability of blazar S4 0954+65 at its maximum optical and $γ$-ray brightness levels
Authors:
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
M. I. Carnerero,
S. S. Savchenko,
S. O. Kurtanidze,
V. V. Vlasyuk,
A. Marchini,
K. Matsumoto,
C. Lorey,
M. D. Joner,
K. Gazeas,
D. Carosati,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
J. A. Acosta Pulido,
I. Agudo,
R. Bachev,
E. Benítez,
G. A. Borman,
P. Calcidese,
W. P. Chen,
G. Damljanovic,
S. A. Ehgamberdiev,
D. Elsässer,
M. Feige,
A. Frasca
, et al. (42 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
In 2022 the BL Lac object S4 0954+65 underwent a major variability phase, reaching its historical maximum brightness in the optical and $γ$-ray bands. We present optical photometric and polarimetric data acquired by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) Collaboration from 2022 April 6 to July 6. Many episodes of unprecedented fast variability were detected, implying an upper limit to the size of…
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In 2022 the BL Lac object S4 0954+65 underwent a major variability phase, reaching its historical maximum brightness in the optical and $γ$-ray bands. We present optical photometric and polarimetric data acquired by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) Collaboration from 2022 April 6 to July 6. Many episodes of unprecedented fast variability were detected, implying an upper limit to the size of the emitting region as low as $10^{-4}$ parsec. The WEBT data show rapid variability in both the degree and angle of polarization. We analyse different models to explain the polarization behaviour in the framework of a twisting jet model, which assumes that the long-term trend of the flux is produced by variations in the emitting region viewing angle. All the models can reproduce the average trend of the polarization degree, and can account for its general anticorrelation with the flux, but the dispersion of the data requires the presence of intrinsic mechanisms, such as turbulence, shocks, or magnetic reconnection. The WEBT optical data are compared to $γ$-ray data from the Fermi satellite. These are analysed with both fixed and adaptive binning procedures. We show that the strong correlation between optical and $γ$-ray data without measurable delay assumes different slopes in faint and high brightness states, and this is compatible with a scenario where in faint states we mainly see the imprint of the geometrical effects, while in bright states the synchrotron self-Compton process dominates.
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Submitted 17 October, 2023;
originally announced October 2023.
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The optical behaviour of BL Lacertae at its maximum brightness levels: a blend of geometry and energetics
Authors:
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
S. G. Jorstad,
A. P. Marscher,
J. A. Acosta Pulido,
D. Carosati,
W. P. Chen,
M. D. Joner,
S. O. Kurtanidze,
C. Lorey,
A. Marchini,
K. Matsumoto,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
S. S. Savchenko,
A. Strigachev,
O. Vince
Abstract:
In 2021 BL Lacertae underwent an extraordinary activity phase, which was intensively followed by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) Collaboration. We present the WEBT optical data in the BVRI bands acquired at 36 observatories around the world. In mid 2021 the source showed its historical maximum, with R = 11.14. The light curves display many episodes of intraday variability, whose amplitude…
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In 2021 BL Lacertae underwent an extraordinary activity phase, which was intensively followed by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) Collaboration. We present the WEBT optical data in the BVRI bands acquired at 36 observatories around the world. In mid 2021 the source showed its historical maximum, with R = 11.14. The light curves display many episodes of intraday variability, whose amplitude increases with source brightness, in agreement with a geometrical interpretation of the long-term flux behaviour. This is also supported by the long-term spectral variability, with an almost achromatic trend with brightness. In contrast, short-term variations are found to be strongly chromatic and are ascribed to energetic processes in the jet. We also analyse the optical polarimetric behaviour, finding evidence of a strong correlation between the intrinsic fast variations in flux density and those in polarisation degree, with a time delay of about 13 h. This suggests a common physical origin. The overall behaviour of the source can be interpreted as the result of two mechanisms: variability on time scales greater than several days is likely produced by orientation effects, while either shock waves propagating in the jet, or magnetic reconnection, possibly induced by kink instabilities in the jet, can explain variability on shorter time scales. The latter scenario could also account for the appearance of quasi-periodic oscillations, with periods from a few days to a few hours, during outbursts, when the jet is more closely aligned with our line of sight and the time scales are shortened by relativistic effects.
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Submitted 21 February, 2023;
originally announced February 2023.
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The dual nature of blazar fast variability. Space and ground observations of S5 0716+714
Authors:
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
D. Carosati,
E. Benítez,
S. O. Kurtanidze,
A. C. Gupta,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
F. D'Ammando,
V. M. Larionov,
T. Pursimo,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
G. V. Baida,
B. Balmaverde,
G. Bonnoli,
G. A. Borman,
M. I. Carnerero,
W. -P. Chen,
V. Dhiman,
A. Di Maggio,
S. A. Ehgamberdiev,
D. Hiriart,
G. N. Kimeridze,
O. M. Kurtanidze,
C. S. Lin,
J. M. Lopez
, et al. (17 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
Blazar S5 0716+714 is well-known for its short-term variability, down to intra-day time-scales. We here present the 2-min cadence optical light curve obtained by the TESS space telescope in 2019 December - 2020 January and analyse the object fast variability with unprecedented sampling. Supporting observations by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope Collaboration in B, V , R, and I bands allow us to i…
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Blazar S5 0716+714 is well-known for its short-term variability, down to intra-day time-scales. We here present the 2-min cadence optical light curve obtained by the TESS space telescope in 2019 December - 2020 January and analyse the object fast variability with unprecedented sampling. Supporting observations by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope Collaboration in B, V , R, and I bands allow us to investigate the spectral variability during the TESS pointing. The spectral analysis is further extended in frequency to the UV and X-ray bands with data from the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory. We develop a new method to unveil the shortest optical variability time-scales. This is based on progressive de-trending of the TESS light curve by means of cubic spline interpolations through the binned fluxes, with decreasing time bins. The de-trended light curves are then analysed with classical tools for time-series analysis (periodogram, auto-correlation and structure functions). The results show that below 3 d there are significant characteristic variability time-scales of about 1.7, 0.5, and 0.2 d. Variability on time-scales < 0.2 d is strongly chromatic and must be ascribed to intrinsic energetic processes involving emitting regions, likely jet sub-structures, with dimension less than about milliparsec. In contrast, flux changes on time-scales > 0.5 d are quasi-achromatic and are probably due to Doppler factor changes of geometric origin.
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Submitted 12 November, 2020;
originally announced November 2020.
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Multi-Wavelength Variability of BL Lacertae Measured with High Time Resolution
Authors:
Zachary R. Weaver,
K. E. Williamson,
S. G. Jorstad,
A. P. Marscher,
V. M. Larionov,
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
R. Bachev,
G. V. Baida,
T. J. Balonek,
E. Benitez,
G. A. Borman,
V. Bozhilov,
M. I. Carnerero,
D. Carosati,
W. P. Chen,
G. Damljanovic,
V. Dhiman,
D. J. Dougherty,
S. A. Ehgamberdiev,
T. S. Grishina,
A. C. Gupta,
M. Hart,
D. Hiriart
, et al. (32 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
In an effort to locate the sites of emission at different frequencies and physical processes causing variability in blazar jets, we have obtained high time-resolution observations of BL Lacertae over a wide wavelength range: with the \emph{Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite} (TESS) at 6,000-10,000 Å with 2-minute cadence; with the Neil Gehrels \emph{Swift} satellite at optical, UV, and X-ray ba…
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In an effort to locate the sites of emission at different frequencies and physical processes causing variability in blazar jets, we have obtained high time-resolution observations of BL Lacertae over a wide wavelength range: with the \emph{Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite} (TESS) at 6,000-10,000 Å with 2-minute cadence; with the Neil Gehrels \emph{Swift} satellite at optical, UV, and X-ray bands; with the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array at hard X-ray bands; with the \emph{Fermi} Large Area Telescope at $γ$-ray energies; and with the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope for measurement of the optical flux density and polarization. All light curves are correlated, with similar structure on timescales from hours to days. The shortest timescale of variability at optical frequencies observed with TESS is $\sim 0.5$ hr. The most common timescale is $13\pm1$~hr, comparable with the minimum timescale of X-ray variability, 14.5 hr. The multi-wavelength variability properties cannot be explained by a change solely in the Doppler factor of the emitting plasma. The polarization behavior implies that there are both ordered and turbulent components to the magnetic field in the jet. Correlation analysis indicates that the X-ray variations lag behind the $γ$-ray and optical light curves by up to $\sim 0.4$ days. The timescales of variability, cross-frequency lags, and polarization properties can be explained by turbulent plasma that is energized by a shock in the jet and subsequently loses energy to synchrotron and inverse Compton radiation in a magnetic field of strength $\sim3$ G
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Submitted 15 July, 2020;
originally announced July 2020.
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Investigating the multiwavelength behaviour of the flat spectrum radio quasar CTA 102 during 2013-2017
Authors:
F. D'Ammando,
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
I. Agudo,
A. A. Arkharov,
R. Bachev,
G. V. Baida,
E. Benitez,
G. A. Borman,
W. Boschin,
V. Bozhilov,
M. S. Butuzova,
P. Calcidese,
M. I. Carnerero,
D. Carosati,
C. Casadio,
N. Castro-Segura,
W. -P. Chen,
G. Damljanovic,
A. Di Paola,
J. Echevarria,
N. V. Efimova,
Sh. A. Ehgamberdiev,
C. Espinosa
, et al. (72 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We present a multiwavelength study of the flat-spectrum radio quasar CTA 102 during 2013-2017. We use radio-to-optical data obtained by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope, 15 GHz data from the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, 91 and 103 GHz data from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, near-infrared data from the Rapid Eye Monitor telescope, as well as data from the Swift (optical-UV and X-rays) and…
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We present a multiwavelength study of the flat-spectrum radio quasar CTA 102 during 2013-2017. We use radio-to-optical data obtained by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope, 15 GHz data from the Owens Valley Radio Observatory, 91 and 103 GHz data from the Atacama Large Millimeter Array, near-infrared data from the Rapid Eye Monitor telescope, as well as data from the Swift (optical-UV and X-rays) and Fermi ($γ$ rays) satellites to study flux and spectral variability and the correlation between flux changes at different wavelengths. Unprecedented $γ$-ray flaring activity was observed during 2016 November-2017 February, with four major outbursts. A peak flux of (2158 $\pm$ 63)$\times$10$^{-8}$ ph cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, corresponding to a luminosity of (2.2 $\pm$ 0.1)$\times$10$^{50}$ erg s$^{-1}$, was reached on 2016 December 28. These four $γ$-ray outbursts have corresponding events in the near-infrared, optical, and UV bands, with the peaks observed at the same time. A general agreement between X-ray and $γ$-ray activity is found. The $γ$-ray flux variations show a general, strong correlation with the optical ones with no time lag between the two bands and a comparable variability amplitude. This $γ$-ray/optical relationship is in agreement with the geometrical model that has successfully explained the low-energy flux and spectral behaviour, suggesting that the long-term flux variations are mainly due to changes in the Doppler factor produced by variations of the viewing angle of the emitting regions. The difference in behaviour between radio and higher energy emission would be ascribed to different viewing angles of the jet regions producing their emission.
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Submitted 11 November, 2019; v1 submitted 8 October, 2019;
originally announced October 2019.
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The beamed jet and quasar core of the distant blazar 4C 71.07
Authors:
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
M. I. Carnerero,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
V. M. Larionov,
P. Romano,
S. Vercellone
Abstract:
The object 4C 71.07 is a high-redshift blazar whose spectral energy distribution shows a prominent big blue bump and a strong Compton dominance. We present the results of a two-year multiwavelength campaign led by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) to study both the quasar core and the beamed jet of this source. The WEBT data are complemented by ultraviolet and X-ray data from Swift, and by g…
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The object 4C 71.07 is a high-redshift blazar whose spectral energy distribution shows a prominent big blue bump and a strong Compton dominance. We present the results of a two-year multiwavelength campaign led by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) to study both the quasar core and the beamed jet of this source. The WEBT data are complemented by ultraviolet and X-ray data from Swift, and by gamma-ray data by Fermi. The big blue bump is modelled by using optical and near-infrared mean spectra obtained during the campaign, together with optical and ultraviolet quasar templates. We give prescriptions to correct the source photometry in the various bands for the thermal contribution, in order to derive the non-thermal jet flux. The role of the intergalactic medium absorption is analysed in both the ultraviolet and X-ray bands. We provide opacity values to deabsorb ultraviolet data, and derive a best-guess value for the hydrogen column density through the analysis of X-ray spectra. We estimate the disc and jet bolometric luminosities, accretion rate, and black hole mass. Light curves do not show persistent correlations among flux changes at different frequencies. We study the polarimetric behaviour and find no correlation between polarisation degree and flux, even when correcting for the dilution effect of the big blue bump. Similarly, wide rotations of the electric vector polarisation angle do not seem to be connected with the source activity.
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Submitted 19 August, 2019;
originally announced August 2019.
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AGILE, Fermi, Swift, and GASP-WEBT multi-wavelength observations of the high-redshift blazar 4C $+$71.07 in outburst
Authors:
S. Vercellone,
P. Romano,
G. Piano,
V. Vittorini,
I. Donnarumma,
P. Munar-Adrover,
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
F. Verrecchia,
F. Lucarelli,
C. Pittori,
A. Bulgarelli,
V. Fioretti,
M. Tavani,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
I. Agudo,
A. A. Arkharov,
U. Bach,
R. Bachev,
G. A. Borman,
M. S. Butuzova,
M. I. Carnerero,
C. Casadio,
G. Damljanovic,
F. D'Ammando
, et al. (34 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The flat-spectrum radio quasar 4C $+$71.07 is a high-redshift ($z=2.172$), $γ$-loud blazar whose optical emission is dominated by the thermal radiation from accretion disc. 4C $+$71.07 has been detected in outburst twice by the AGILE $γ$-ray satellite during the period end of October - mid November 2015, when it reached a $γ$-ray flux of the order of…
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The flat-spectrum radio quasar 4C $+$71.07 is a high-redshift ($z=2.172$), $γ$-loud blazar whose optical emission is dominated by the thermal radiation from accretion disc. 4C $+$71.07 has been detected in outburst twice by the AGILE $γ$-ray satellite during the period end of October - mid November 2015, when it reached a $γ$-ray flux of the order of $F_{\rm E>100\,MeV} = (1.2 \pm 0.3)\times 10^{-6}$ photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ and $F_{\rm E>100\,MeV} = (3.1 \pm 0.6)\times 10^{-6}$ photons cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$, respectively, allowing us to investigate the properties of the jet and of the emission region. We investigated its spectral energy distribution by means of almost simultaneous observations covering the cm, mm, near-infrared, optical, ultra-violet, X-ray and $γ$-ray energy bands obtained by the GASP-WEBT Consortium, the Swift and the AGILE and Fermi satellites. The spectral energy distribution of the second $γ$-ray flare (the one whose energy coverage is more dense) can be modelled by means of a one-zone leptonic model, yielding a total jet power of about $4\times10^{47}$ erg s$^{-1}$. During the most prominent $γ$-ray flaring period our model is consistent with a dissipation region within the broad-line region. Moreover, this class of high-redshift, large-mass black-hole flat-spectrum radio quasars might be good targets for future $γ$-ray satellites such as e-ASTROGAM.
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Submitted 19 November, 2018;
originally announced November 2018.
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The Bright $γ$-ray Flare of 3C 279 in June 2015: AGILE Detection and Multifrequency Follow-up Observations
Authors:
C. Pittori,
F. Lucarelli,
F. Verrecchia,
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
V. Vittorini,
M. Tavani,
S. Puccetti,
M. Perri,
I. Donnarumma,
S. Vercellone,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
R. Bachev,
E. Benitez,
G. A. Borman,
M. I. Carnerero,
D. Carosati,
W. P. Chen,
Sh. A. Ehgamberdiev,
A. Goded,
T. S. Grishina,
D. Hiriart,
H. Y. Hsiao,
S. G. Jorstad,
G. N. Kimeridze
, et al. (22 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
We report the AGILE detection and the results of the multifrequency follow-up observations of a bright $γ$-ray flare of the blazar 3C 279 in June 2015. We use AGILE-GRID and Fermi-LAT $γ$-ray data, together with Swift-XRT, Swift-UVOT, and ground-based GASP-WEBT optical observations, including polarization information, to study the source variability and the overall spectral energy distribution dur…
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We report the AGILE detection and the results of the multifrequency follow-up observations of a bright $γ$-ray flare of the blazar 3C 279 in June 2015. We use AGILE-GRID and Fermi-LAT $γ$-ray data, together with Swift-XRT, Swift-UVOT, and ground-based GASP-WEBT optical observations, including polarization information, to study the source variability and the overall spectral energy distribution during the $γ$-ray flare. The $γ$-ray flaring data, compared with as yet unpublished simultaneous optical data which allow to set constraints on the big blue bump disk luminosity, show very high Compton dominance values of $\sim 100$, with a ratio of $γ$-ray to optical emission rising by a factor of three in a few hours. The multi-wavelength behavior of the source during the flare challenges one-zone leptonic theoretical models. The new observations during the June 2015 flare are also compared with already published data and non-simultaneous historical 3C 279 archival data.
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Submitted 20 March, 2018;
originally announced March 2018.
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Exceptional outburst of the blazar CTA 102 in 2012: The GASP-WEBT campaign and its extension
Authors:
V. M. Larionov,
M. Villata,
C. M. Raiteri,
S. G. Jorstad,
A. P. Marscher,
I. Agudo,
P. S. Smith,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
M. J. Arévalo,
A. A. Arkharov,
R. Bachev,
D. A. Blinov,
G. Borisov,
G. A. Borman,
V. Bozhilov,
A. Bueno,
M. I. Carnerero,
D. Carosati,
C. Casadio,
W. P. Chen,
D. P. Clemens,
A. Di Paola,
Sh. A. Ehgamberdiev,
J. L. Gómez,
P. A González-Morales
, et al. (27 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
After several years of quiescence, the blazar CTA 102 underwent an exceptional outburst in 2012 September-October. The flare was tracked from gamma-ray to near-infrared frequencies, including Fermi and Swift data as well as photometric and polarimetric data from several observatories. An intensive GASP-WEBT collaboration campaign in optical and NIR bands, with an addition of previously unpublished…
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After several years of quiescence, the blazar CTA 102 underwent an exceptional outburst in 2012 September-October. The flare was tracked from gamma-ray to near-infrared frequencies, including Fermi and Swift data as well as photometric and polarimetric data from several observatories. An intensive GASP-WEBT collaboration campaign in optical and NIR bands, with an addition of previously unpublished archival data and extension through fall 2015, allows comparison of this outburst with the previous activity period of this blazar in 2004-2005. We find remarkable similarity between the optical and gamma-ray behaviour of CTA 102 during the outburst, with a time lag between the two light curves of ~1 hour, indicative of co-spatiality of the optical and gamma-ray emission regions. The relation between the gamma-ray and optical fluxes is consistent with the SSC mechanism, with a quadratic dependence of the SSC gamma-ray flux on the synchrotron optical flux evident in the post-outburst stage. However, the gamma-ray/optical relationship is linear during the outburst; we attribute this to changes in the Doppler factor. A strong harder-when-brighter spectral dependence is seen both the in gamma-ray and optical non-thermal emission. This hardening can be explained by convexity of the UV-NIR spectrum that moves to higher frequencies owing to an increased Doppler shift as the viewing angle decreases during the outburst stage. The overall pattern of Stokes parameter variations agrees with a model of a radiating blob or shock wave that moves along a helical path down the jet.
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Submitted 21 June, 2016;
originally announced June 2016.
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The awakening of BL Lacertae: observations by Fermi, Swift, and the GASP-WEBT
Authors:
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
F. D'Ammando,
V. M. Larionov,
M. A. Gurwell,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
P. S. Smith
Abstract:
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…
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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.
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Submitted 5 September, 2013;
originally announced September 2013.
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Variability of the blazar 4C 38.41 (B3 1633+382) from GHz frequencies to GeV energies
Authors:
C. M. Raiteri,
M. Villata,
P. S. Smith,
V. M. Larionov,
J. A. Acosta-Pulido,
M. F. Aller,
F. D'Ammando,
M. A. Gurwell,
S. G. Jorstad,
M. Joshi,
O. M. Kurtanidze,
A. Lähteenmäki,
D. O. Mirzaqulov,
I. Agudo,
H. D. Aller,
M. J. Arévalo,
A. A. Arkharov,
U. Bach,
E. Benítez,
A. Berdyugin,
D. A. Blinov,
K. Blumenthal,
C. S. Buemi,
A. Bueno,
T. M. Carleton
, et al. (52 additional authors not shown)
Abstract:
The quasar-type blazar 4C 38.41 (B3 1633+382) experienced a large outburst in 2011, which was detected throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum. We present the results of low-energy multifrequency monitoring by the GASP project of the WEBT consortium and collaborators, as well as those of spectropolarimetric/spectrophotometric monitoring at the Steward Observatory. We also analyse high-energ…
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The quasar-type blazar 4C 38.41 (B3 1633+382) experienced a large outburst in 2011, which was detected throughout the entire electromagnetic spectrum. We present the results of low-energy multifrequency monitoring by the GASP project of the WEBT consortium and collaborators, as well as those of spectropolarimetric/spectrophotometric monitoring at the Steward Observatory. We also analyse high-energy observations of the Swift and Fermi satellites. In the optical-UV band, several results indicate that there is a contribution from a QSO-like emission component, in addition to both variable and polarised jet emission. The unpolarised emission component is likely thermal radiation from the accretion disc that dilutes the jet polarisation. We estimate its brightness to be R(QSO) ~ 17.85 - 18 and derive the intrinsic jet polarisation degree. We find no clear correlation between the optical and radio light curves, while the correlation between the optical and γ-ray flux apparently fades in time, likely because of an increasing optical to γ-ray flux ratio. As suggested for other blazars, the long-term variability of 4C 38.41 can be interpreted in terms of an inhomogeneous bent jet, where different emitting regions can change their alignment with respect to the line of sight, leading to variations in the Doppler factor δ. Under the hypothesis that in the period 2008-2011 all the γ-ray and optical variability on a one-week timescale were due to changes in δ, this would range between ~ 7 and ~ 21. If the variability were caused by changes in the viewing angle θ only, then θ would go from ~ 2.6 degr to ~ 5 degr. Variations in the viewing angle would also account for the dependence of the polarisation degree on the source brightness in the framework of a shock-in-jet model.
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Submitted 17 July, 2012;
originally announced July 2012.