Optical behavior of gamma-ray bright FSRQ 3C 454.3
ATel #2333; M. Sasada, R. Itoh, M. Yamanaka, M. Uemura, H. Takahashi, Y. Fukazawa, K. S. Kawabata, Y. Ikejiri, T. Ohsugi (Hiroshima University), on behalf of the Kanata team
on 5 Dec 2009; 15:47 UT
Credential Certification: Hiromitsu Takahashi (hirotaka@hep01.hepl.hiroshima-u.ac.jp)
Subjects: Optical, AGN, Quasar
The blazar 3C 454.3 has recently brightened up in the gamma-ray, optical and X-ray regions
(ATel #2322; #2325; #2326; #2328; #2329; #2330; #2332). We performed optical photopolarimetric
observations with the Kanata 1.5-m telescope at Higashi-Hiroshima Observatory.
Our preliminary analysis shows that the blazar 3C 454.3 was V=14.06+/-0.02 on 1.9 Dec
2009 (UT), compared with the star located at RA=22:53:58.18, Dec=+16:09:06.9
(V=13.587; Gonzalez-Perez et al 2001, AJ, 122, 2055). The optical polarization degree
of 3C 454.3 was 6.0+/-0.1%, and seems low despite the current optical/gamma-ray
activities. The photometric and polarimetric behavior of 3C 454.3 in
optical/gamma-ray regions is similar to the flare on 15 Sep 2009 (ATel #2200; #2201).
Our preliminary result can be found at http://kanatatmp.g.hatena.ne.jp/kanataobslog/?word=3C%20454%2e3 .
We will continue the optical monitoring of this source.
