Optical and IR flare of blazar PKS B 1622-297
ATel #2522; M. Buxton, C. Bailyn, E. Bonning, R. Chatterjee, P. Coppi, J. Isler, R. Scalzo, M. Urry (Yale Univ.), L. Maraschi (INAF Osservatorio Astronomico di Brera) and G. Fossati (Rice Univ.)
on 29 Mar 2010; 22:29 UT
Credential Certification: Michelle Buxton (buxton@astro.yale.edu)
Subjects: Infra-Red, Optical, AGN, Black Hole
Referred to by ATel #: 2531
We are conducting a long-term monitoring campaign of the optical and near-IR magnitudes of gamma-ray bright blazars using the SMARTS 1.3m telescope and ANDICAM instrument.
We report that optical and near infrared observations of PKS B 1622-297 exhibit evidence of a possible new flare. The change in magnitude between UT 16 Mar 2010 (JD 2455271.82) and UT 29 Mar 2010 (JD 2455284.78) is as follows: dB = 1.03, dV = 1.10, dR = 1.23, dJ = 1.51, dK = 2.34. This is the brightest PKS B 1622-297 has been since we began monitoring this source in June 2008.
We will continue to monitor this and other gamma-ray bright blazars on a near-daily basis. Our data up until the end of July 2009 are publicly available at http://www.astro.yale.edu/smarts/fermi
Those interested in detailed light curves since August 1 are invited to contact the team.
