Polarization measurement of Blazar OJ287
ATel #6054; S. Ganesh (Physical Research Laboratory, PRL, India), A. Mishra (PRL, Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, IIST, India), S. Chandra (PRL), K. S. Baliyan(PRL)
on 9 Apr 2014; 13:24 UT
Credential Certification: Shashikiran Ganesh (shashi@prl.res.in)
Subjects: Optical, AGN, Blazar
Blazar OJ 287, reported in ATEL #6030 to be in a flaring state, was observed for linear polarization in the V band on 2014 March 31, from UT=17.5 to 19.25 hrs. Observations were carried out at PRL's 1.2m telescope at Mt Abu with a newly developed optical imaging polarimeter. Source showed a decline from 5% to 3% during this period. It would be interesting to see whether the polarization variations are correlated to flux on this night. Earlier snapshot observation of OJ 287 with the same setup on 2014 February 1, 20.7UT showed 4% in the V band. In the past, OJ 287 has shown flux correlated as well as anti-correlated polarization variations and so further photo-polarimetric observations are encouraged at all wavelengths. We shall be monitoring the object for optical polarization in the forthcoming dark nights.
