GASP detection of a fast optical brightening of the blazar 3C 454.3
ATel #2325; M. Villata and C. M. Raiteri (INAF, Osservatorio Astronomico di Torino, Italy), V. M. Larionov and T. S. Konstantinova (Astronomical Institute, St.-Petersburg State University, Russia), K. Nilsson and M. Pasanen (Tuorla Observatory, University of Turku, Finland), D. Carosati (EPT Observatories, Tijarafe, La Palma, Spain), for the GASP Collaboration
on 3 Dec 2009; 12:18 UT
Credential Certification: Claudia M. Raiteri (raiteri@oato.inaf.it)
With reference to the recent very strong gamma-ray activity of the blazar 3C 454.3 detected by Fermi-GST and AGILE (ATel #2322), the GLAST-AGILE Support Program (GASP) of the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) reports on a simultaneous fast optical brightening of the source. After the mild activity registered in August-October 2009 (R ~ 14.5-15), the optical brightness decreased to R ~ 15-15.2 in November. Starting from this level, a very fast flux increase has led to a brightening of more than 1 mag between November 21 and December 1-2, when reaching R ~ 14.1.
