CRTS detection of optical outburst of PKS 2023-07
ATel #2179; A. A. Mahabal, S. G. Djorgovski, A. J. Drake, M. J. Graham, R. Williams (Caltech); M. Catelan (PUC); E. C. Beshore, S. M. Larson (LPL/UA); E. Christensen (Gemini Observatory);
on 30 Aug 2009; 00:02 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Request For Observations
Credential Certification: Ashish Mahabal (aam@astro.caltech.edu)
Subjects: Optical, >GeV, Request for Observations, Transient
We report on the discovery of an optical outburst associated with PKS 2023-07
by the Catalina Real-Time Transient Survey (CRTS). Recently, Gasparrini et
al. ATel#2175 noted the Fermi LAT detection of a GeV flare from blazar PKS
2023-07. On Aug 29.17 UT CRTS automatically detected and alerted that this
object was undergoing a significant optical outburst with V~15.2.
| ID | Detection
Date | RA | Dec | Mag | VOEvent ID |
|
CSS090829:202541-073553 |
2009-08-29 UT 04:15:36 | 20:25:40.63 | -07:35:52.7
| 15.2 | 908290071094126135 |
Past photometry dating back to April 2005 suggests that this blazar is
highly variable
often showing wild variations in brightness over
relatively short periods, and is in that sense unlike most blazars.
In particular the luminosity ranges from V~18.7 on July 11th
2009 to its current level.
The lightcurve and further details can be found at
http://voeventnet.caltech.edu/feeds/ATEL/CSS/908290071094126135.atel.html
. Further observations are requested.
Current candidate and confirmed Blazars detected by CRTS can be found
here.
More details of the CRTS project are available at
http://crts.caltech.edu.
