We present the results of our study of spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of a sample of 10 low- to intermediate-synchrotron-peaked blazars. We investigate some of the physical parameters most ...likely responsible for the observed short-term variations in blazars. To do so, we focus on the study of changes in the SEDs of blazars corresponding to changes in their respective optical fluxes. We model the observed spectra of blazars from radio to optical frequencies using a synchrotron model that entails a log-parabolic distribution of electron energies. A significant correlation among the two fitted spectral parameters (a, b) of log-parabolic curves and a negative trend among the peak frequency and spectral curvature parameter, b, emphasize that the SEDs of blazars are fitted well by log-parabolic curves. On considering each model parameter that could be responsible for changes in the observed SEDs of these blazars, we find that changes in the jet Doppler factors are most important.
Results from optical photometric observations of the pre-main sequence star GM Cep are reported in the paper. The star is located in the field of the young open cluster Trumpler 37—a region of active ...star formation. GM Cep shows a large amplitude rapid variability interpreted as a possible outburst from EXor type in previous studies. Our data from
BVRI
CCD photometric observations of the star are collected from June 2008 to February 2011 in Rozhen observatory (Bulgaria) and Skinakas observatory (Crete, Greece). A sequence of sixteen comparison stars in the field of GM Cep was calibrated in the
BVRI
bands. Our photometric data for a 2.5 years period show a high amplitude variations (
) and two deep minimums in brightness are observed. The analysis of collected multicolor photometric data shows the typical of UX Ori variables a color reversal during the minimums in brightness. On the other hand, high amplitude rapid variations in brightness typical for the Classical T Tauri stars also present on the light curve of GM Cep. Comparing our results with results published in the literature, we conclude that changes in brightness are caused by superposition of both: (1) magnetically channeled accretion from the circumstellar disk, and (2) occultation from circumstellar clouds of dust or from features of a circumstellar disk.
Aims. We present new results from optical photometric and spectroscopic observations of the eruptive pre-main sequence star V2493 Cyg (HBC 722). The object has continued to undergo significant ...brightness variations over the past few months and is an ideal target for follow-up observations. Methods. We carried out CCD BVRI photometric observations in the field of V2493 Cyg (“Gulf of Mexico”) from August 1994 to April 2012, i.e. at the pre-outburst states and during the phases of the outburst. We acquired high, medium, and low resolution spectroscopy of V2493 Cyg during the outburst. To study the pre-outburst variability of the target and construct its historical light curve, we searched for archival observations in photographic plate collections. Both CCD and photographic observations were analyzed using 15 comparison stars in the field of V2493 Cyg. Results. The pre-outburst photographic and CCD photometric observations of V2493 Cyg show low-amplitude light variations typical of T Tauri stars. The recent photometric data show a slow light decrease from October 2010 to June 2011 followed by an increase in brightness that continued until early 2012. The spectral observations of V2493 Cyg are typical of FU Orionis stars absorption spectra with strong P Cyg profiles of Hα and Na I D lines. On the basis of photometric monitoring performed over the past two years, the spectral properties at the maximal light, as well as the shape of long-term light curves, we confirm that the observed outburst of V2493 Cyg is of FU Orionis type.
To broaden the search and study stars in the early evolutionary phase, we investigated a sample of 17 pre-main sequence objects previously detected as either Hα emission-line pre-main sequence stars ...or T Tauri variables located in the field of the North America/Pelican Nebula complex. Johnson-Cousins B, V, Rc, Ic magnitudes and mean color indices for the program stars are determined from more than 12 400 measurements from archive photographic plates and from CCD data collected at 7 observatories covering the period of almost 60 years from 1954 up to 2013. We complemented previously rare insights on the photometry of the program stars and presented their photometric history, which for almost all program stars is the first long term photometric monitoring on a timescale of 6 decades. Eight program stars are found to be classical T Tauri stars of variability type II, while 6 program stars are weak-line T Tauri stars of variability type I. For the first time, periodicity is found for three stars: V1716 Cyg indicates a 4.15 day period, V2051 Cyg indicates a 384 day period, and V521 Cyg a period of 503 days.
Context. 3C 454.3 is a very active flat spectrum radio quasar (blazar) that has undergone a recent outburst in all observed bands, including the optical. Aims. In this work we explore the short-term ...optical variability of 3C 454.3 during its outburst by searching for time delays between different optical bands. Finding one would be important for understanding the evolution of the spectrum of the relativistic electrons, which generate the synchrotron jet emission. Methods. We performed photometric monitoring of the object by repeating exposures in different optical bands (BVRI). Occasionally, different telescopes were used to monitor the object in the same band to verify the reliability of the smallest variations we observed. Results. Except on one occasion, where we found indications of a lag of the blue wavelengths behind the red ones, the results are inconclusive for most of the other cases. There were either no structures in the light curves to be able to search for patterns, or else different approaches led to different conclusions.
We present the results from a monitoring campaign of the Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxy PG 1211+143. The object was monitored with ground-based facilities (UBVRI photometry; from 2007 February to July) ...and with SwiftX-ray photometry/spectroscopy and ultraviolet (UV)/optical photometry; between 2007 March and May. We found PG 1211+143 in a historical low X-ray flux state at the beginning of the Swift monitoring campaign in 2007 March. It is seen from the light curves that while violently variable in X-rays, the quasar shows little variations in optical/UV bands. The X-ray spectrum in the low state is similar to other narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies during their low states and can be explained by a strong partial covering absorber or by X-ray reflection on to the disc. With the current data set, however, it is not possible to distinguish between both scenarios. The interband cross-correlation functions indicate a possible reprocessing of the X-rays into the longer wavelengths, consistent with the idea of a thin accretion disc, powering the quasar. The time lags between the X-ray and the optical/UV light curves, ranging from ∼2 to ∼18 d for the different wavebands, scale approximately as ∼λ4/3, but appear to be somewhat larger than expected for this object, taking into account its accretion disc parameters. Possible implications for the location of the X-ray irradiating source are discussed.
In 2007-2008 we carried out a new multiwavelength campaign of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) on BL Lacertae, involving three pointings by the XMM-Newton satellite, to study its emission ...properties. The source was monitored in the optical-to-radio bands by 37 telescopes. The brightness level was relatively low. Some episodes of very fast variability were detected in the optical bands. The X-ray spectra are well fitted by a power law with photon index of about 2 and photoelectric absorption exceeding the Galactic value. However, when taking into account the presence of a molecular cloud on the line of sight, the data are best fitted by a double power law, implying a concave X-ray spectrum. The spectral energy distributions (SEDs) built with simultaneous radio-to-X-ray data at the epochs of the XMM-Newton observations suggest that the peak of the synchrotron emission lies in the near-IR band, and show a prominent UV excess, besides a slight soft-X-ray excess. A comparison with the SEDs corresponding to previous observations with X-ray satellites shows that the X-ray spectrum is extremely variable. We ascribe the UV excess to thermal emission from the accretion disc, and the other broad-band spectral features to the presence of two synchrotron components, with their related SSC emission. We fit the thermal emission with a black body law and the non-thermal components by means of a helical jet model. The fit indicates a disc temperature greater than 20000 K and a luminosity greater than 6 x 10^44 erg/s.
We present results from optical photometry of the pre-main sequence star V 1184 Tau. The star is associated with the Bok globule CB 34 and it was considered as a FUOR candidate in previous studies. ...Our CCD photometric data ($\it UBVRI$) obtained from October 2000 to April 2003 show that the star brightness varies with an amplitude of about $0\fm6$ ($\it V$) without increasing or decreasing. The comparison of our photometric and spectroscopic results suggests that V 1184 Tau has the characteristics of a WTTS in this period. The photometric data obtained from August 2003 to March 2004 show the beginning of a gradual decrease of the star brightness (~4m in $\it I$-light). The analysis of the photometric data suggests that V 1184 Tau shows two types of variability produced (1) by the presence of large cool photospheric spots and (2) by occultation from circumstellar clouds of dust or from an orbiting extended body. The behavior of the $V-I$ index indicates that the star becomes redder towards minimum light, but from a certain turning point it gets bluer fading further. The possible scenarios to explain the observed eclipse are briefly discussed.
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