Support ATel At Patreon

[ Previous | Next | ADS ]

ATOM observations of flares in gamma-blazars PKS 0447-439 and PKS 1406-076

ATel #13906; F. Jankowsky, S. Wagner (LSW Heidelberg)
on 30 Jul 2020; 12:49 UT
Credential Certification: Felix Jankowsky (f.jankowsky@lsw.uni-heidelberg.de)

Subjects: Optical, AGN, Blazar, Transient

Referred to by ATel #: 13956

Preliminary analysis of observations with the Automatic Telescope for Optical Monitoring (ATOM) reveal historically high optical flux in the blazar PKS 0447-439 (z=0.107). Observations conducted during the night from 28 to 29 July 2020 (MJD 59059.17) resulted in an R magnitude of 13.1 -- exceeding the previously brightest state of this object as measured by ATOM in November 2016. Previous ATOM observation during the night of 20 to 21 July (MJD 59051.18) showed an R magnitude of 13.5, followed by so far 8 days of flux increase.

We also report a continuous optical flare in PKS 1406-076 (z=1.494), which was reported to exhibit a flare in the gamma-ray and optical domains (ATel #13882 and #13887 respectively). The R-band magnitude of 15.9 measured during the night of 29 to 30 July (MJD 59059.75) is the brightest optical state reported so far.

Further observations of both sources are encouraged.

ATOM is a 75cm optical telescope located at the H.E.S.S. site in Namibia. It monitors optical flux of known gamma-ray emitters. PKS 0447-439 -- one of the brightest blazars as seen with Fermi-LAT -- forms part of ATOM's monitoring programme since this blazar's initial identification as gamma-ray source in 2009. PKS 1406-076 is monitored since 2007.