Detection of an optical flare from PKS 2052-474
ATel #2158; M. Hauser, B. Behera (LSW Heidelberg), H. Hagen (Sternwarte Hamburg),S. Wagner (LSW Heidelberg) on behalf of the ATOM team
on 13 Aug 2009; 19:18 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Request For Observations
Credential Certification: Stefan J. Wagner (swagner@lsw.uni-heidelberg.de)
Subjects: Optical, Gamma Ray, Request for Observations, AGN, Quasar
Most recent measurement with the Automatic Telescope for Optical
Monitoring (ATOM), operated by the H.E.S.S. collaboration and located
next to the H.E.S.S. IACT array in Namibia, shows significant optical
flaring activity of the gamma-bright blazar PKS 2052-474 (3EG J2055-4716,
0FGL J2056.1−4715) (RA=20:56:16, Dec=-47:14:48 (J2000), z=1.49).
The source was fainter than 18mag (R) in the second half of 2008.
Following a gradual increase to 17.5 until end of May 2009, the source
showed two minor flares in June/July 2009. Since July 21, the flux started
to increase up to R=15.6mag on Aug 12.
Multifrequency observations of this outburst are encouraged.
ATOM is monitoring this source since July 2008 as a part of its
optical monitoring program of gamma-ray sources. The flux reported
here is the highest ATOM measured flux of this source.
