AGILE detects an extraordinary gamma-ray activity from the FSRQ 3C 454.3
ATel #2326; E. Striani (Univ. Roma Tor Vergata and INFN Roma), S. Vercellone (INAF/IASF-Pa), F. Verrecchia, C. Pittori, P. Santolamazza (ASDC), M. Tavani (INAF/IASF-Rm), F. D'Ammando (Univ. Roma Tor Vergata and INAF/IASF-Rm), I. Donnarumma, V. Vittorini, E. Del Monte, Y. Evangelista, M. Feroci, F. Lazzarotto, L. Pacciani, P. Soffitta, E. Costa, I. Lapshov, M. Rapisarda, A. Argan, G. Piano, G. Pucella, S. Sabatini, A. Trois (INAF/IASF-Rm), A. Bulgarelli, F. Gianotti, M. Trifoglio, F. Fuschino, M. Galli, C. Labanti, M. Marisaldi, G. Di Cocco (INAF/IASF-Bo), A. Chen, A. Giuliani, S. Mereghetti, P. Caraveo, F. Perotti (INAF/IASF-Mi), A. Pellizzoni, M. Pilia (INAF/OA-Cagliari), G. Barbiellini, F. Longo, E. Moretti, E. Vallazza (INFN Trieste), A. Morselli, P. Picozza (INFN and Univ. Roma Tor Vergata), M. Prest (Universita` dell'Insubria), P. Lipari, D. Zanello (INFN and Univ. Roma Sapienza), P. W. Cattaneo, A. Rappoldi (INFN Pavia), S. Colafrancesco, P. Giommi,(ASDC), L. Salotti (ASI)
on 3 Dec 2009; 16:27 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Request For Observations
Credential Certification: Stefano Vercellone (stefano@iasf-milano.inaf.it)
Subjects: Gamma Ray, >GeV, Request for Observations, AGN, Quasar
The AGILE Gamma-Ray Imaging Detector (GRID) has been detecting an extraordinary
intense gamma-ray emission above 100 MeV from the flat spectrum radio quasar 3C 454.3.
Integrating from 2009-12-02 06:30 UT to 2009-12-03 08:30 UT, a quick-look maximum
likelihood analysis yields a source flux of about (1800 +/- 400)e-8 ph/cm2/sec
(E > 100 MeV).
This flux value greatly exceeds the value reported by AGILE in ATel #2322, showing
a rapid increase (about 80%) of the gamma-ray flux of 3C 454.3 in the last 24 hours.
An optical brightening (R band) during the period between November 21 and December 1-2
is also reported by the GASP-WEBT in ATel #2325.
The AGILE/GRID detection was obtained while AGILE is observing in spinning mode,
surveying a large fraction of the sky each day.
Multifrequency observations of the source are strongly encouraged.
