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Photopolarimetry of Blazar 3C454.3 from MIRO

ATel #2345; KS Baliyan, S Ganesh, Sunil Chandra, UC Joshi (PRL, Ahmedabad, India)
on 12 Dec 2009; 18:57 UT
Distributed as an Instant Email Notice Request For Observations
Credential Certification: Kiran S Baliyan (baliyan@prl.res.in)

Subjects: Optical, Request for Observations, AGN

Referred to by ATel #: 2352, 3047

The Blazar 3C 454.3 has been active in Gamma-rays, optical and X-rays since Sept. 2009 ( Atel #2181, #2200, #2201). Very recently, it has been reported to be flaring up in the optical, X-ray and gamma-ray energy regimes(ATel #2322; #2325; #2326; #2328; #2329; #2330; #2332). In Atel #2333, Sasada et al report optical behaviour of this source on Dec 1.9 with brightness (V=14.06+/-0.02 and degree of polarization 6.0+/-0.1% on the same epoch. In Atel #2344,Vercellone et al report Integral (X-ray) result showing decaying phase of Gamma-ray super flare. We monitored the source in optical during December 11 and 12, 2009 with PRL-Optical polarimeter mounted on the 1.2m Mt Abu IR Observatory telescope at Gurushikhar, Mt Abu, operated by Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, India. Our preliminary results show that the Blazar 3C 454.3 is in relatively bright state with R=13.7, B=15.10 and degree of optical polarization varying from 16 (+/-2.1%) to 18.6 (+/- 1.8%) on December 11, 2009 (UT 15:20:40 - 16:16:10) and R= 13.8, V= 14.2 with degree of polarization 16(+/-2.8)% in R and 18(+/-1.8)% in V on Dec 12, 2009 (UT 15:40:15 to 16:21:20). On Dec 12, we also monitored 3c454.3 in white light with polarization degree 18(+/-1.7) - 21.2(+/-2.1)%. The magnitudes in RVB are obtained using nearby comparison star 1 (Raiteri et al 1998).