Optical observations of the outburst of blazar AO 0235+16
ATel #1735; T. J. Balonek and M. T. Lam (Colgate University)
on 24 Sep 2008; 05:46 UT
Credential Certification: Thomas J. Balonek (tbalonek@mail.colgate.edu)
Observations at the Colgate University Foggy Bottom Observatory confirm the spectacular nature of the current optical outburst in the blazar AO 0235+16 reported by Villata et al (ATEL #1724). The blazar has reached a brightness level, R ~ 14.1, comparable to outbursts in 1990-91, 1992, 1998, and 2007. Preliminary reductions of CCD images indicate the blazar was at R ~ 16.2 on September 4.2 (UT), R ~ 15.4 on September 20.2 - observations hindered by the close proximity of the Moon, R ~ 15.0 on September 21.2, R ~ 14.2 on September 23.2, and R ~ 14.1 on September 24.2.
