The 2015 outburst of the OJ287 blazar
ATel #8378; M. Valtonen, S. Zola, A. Gopakumar, K. Gazeas, W. Ogloza, M. Drozdz, M. Siwak, B. Debski, J. Dalessio, K. Sadakane, M. Kidger, K. Nilsson, A. Berdyugin, E. Lindfors, L. Takalo, K. Baliyan, M. Mugrauer, F. Alicavus, A. Erdem, J. Provencal, J. Webb, M. Zejmo, E. Sobas, H. Er, W. Keel, T. Schweyer (Turku University, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Jagiellonian University, University of Athens, Mt. Suhora Observatory, Univeristy of Jena, University of Delaware, Osaka Kyouiku University, ESA-ESAC, Unit of Dept. of Space, Cannakale University, Florida International University, Zielona Gora University, University of Adiyaman, University of Alabama, MPI)
on 7 Dec 2015; 17:25 UT
Credential Certification: Staszek Zola (szola@oa.uj.edu.pl)
Subjects: Optical, Black Hole, Blazar
A model that contains a massive BH binary was proposed to explain the
double peaked quasi-periodical (roughly about 12 years) outbursts of
the blazar OJ287.
A regular photometric monitoring of this target has been performed
since the very beginning of this season with the aim of catching the next outburst,
predicted by the model to occur this winter, between mid November and early January.
Brightness of OJ287 was changing in the range between 14.4 and 14.8
mag in the R filter for most of this season but starting from Nov 18 we observed its
gradual light increase, followed by a rapid brightness rise also announced by the ASAS project (ATEL
#8372). On Dec 4, we recorded the highest brightness of about 12.9 mag (R) and
OJ287 started to fade.
We believe that the current outburst,
consistent with the inspiralling spinning massive BH binary model for OJ287,
could be the expected GR centenary flare.
