OJ287 blazar in a flaring state

ATel #6030; S. Zola, T. Kundera, B. Debski, A. Kuzmicz (Astronomical Observatory, Jagiellonian University, Poland), M. Winiarski, W. Ogloza, M. Drozdz, G. Stachowski (Mt. Suhora Observatory, Pedagogical University, Poland), J. Dalessio (University of Delaware, USA)
on 31 Mar 2014; 16:06 UT
Credential Certification: Staszek Zola (szola@oa.uj.edu.pl)

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OJ287 has been monitored in the optical wavelength with small telescopes at the Astronomical Observatory of the Jagiellonian University (KRK) and the Mt. Suhora Observatory of the Pedagogical University (SUH) in Poland. Additional data were taken by the PROPMT telescope in Chile. We used the comparison (#4) and check (#10) stars of known magnitude proposed by Fiorucci & Tosti (A&AS 116, 403, 1996). We report very rapid changes of OJ287 brightness starting in mid March. The instrumental magnitudes in the wide band R filter are given ( JDhel, R Magnitude, site, comment): 2456730.27541 15.100+-0.015 SUH, 2456731.25835 15.071+-0.021 KRK, 2456737.30408 14.582+-0.003 SUH, 2456738.36951 14.457+-0.017 KRK, 2456739.27900 14.650+-0.011 KRK, 2456742.32245 13.882+-0.011 SUH, 2456743.26370 14.324+-0.007 SUH, 2456744.25108 14.263+-0.020 SUH rapid brightening, 2456744.36149 13.980+-0.018 SUH, 2456745.41507 14.600+-0.003 SUH, 2456746.29703 14.729+-0.014 KRK, 2456746.32228 14.739+-0.007 SUH, 2456747.39331 14.153 KRK rapid brightening, The current brightness changes are rapid and of high amplitude. Two series of measurements of OJ287, taken on March 27th with an interval of 2.5 hours, show a 0.28 mag increase in brightness. Observed continuously over 5.9 hours on March 30th the target brightened by about 0.35 mag. This behavior seems to be consistent with flaring activity originating in the blazar jet.