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A strong optical activity of the OJ287 blazar

ATel #8768; S. Zola, (Jagiellonian University), M. Valtonen (University of Turku), S. Ciprini (ASI Science Data Center), D. E. Reichart, J. P. Moore, A. P. LaCluyze, K. M. Ivarsen (University of North Carolina), R. Groom, K. Stranger (Blue Mountains Observatory), K. Sadakane, K. Matsumoto (Osaka Kyoiku University), M. Kagitani, S. Okano, T. Sakanoi (Tohoku Uni versity), J. Provencal, J. Dalessio (University of Delaware), M. Drozdz, M. Siwak (Mt. Suhora Observatory), K. Gazeas (University of Athens), V. Fallah Ramazani (University of Turku), M. Kidger (European Space Agency), R. Naves, Montse Campas (Observatorio de Montcabre, Barcelona), H. Jermak, I. A. Steele (Liverpool John Moores University), E. Sonbas, H. Er (University of Adiyaman), M. Zejmo (University of Zielona Gora), D. B. Caton (Appalachian State University), G. Poyner (BAA Variable Star Section)
on 3 Mar 2016; 19:39 UT
Credential Certification: Staszek Zola (szola@oa.uj.edu.pl)

Subjects: Optical, AGN, Black Hole, Blazar

Referred to by ATel #: 8777, 8778, 8806

We have continued monitoring the blazar OJ287 in the optical at several sites after its November/December, 2015 outburst. After a further large outburst that started in the beginning of February, 2016 (Atels #8667, #8697, #8705) OJ287 remained brighter than 14th magnitude [in R] for the rest of the month. A peak was reached in mid February, followed by a gradual decline until almost the end of the month. On Feb 28th a new large flare occurred and the brightness of OJ287 increased from about 14.04 mag to 13.46 in the R filter within a single day. After a short standstill, the blazar continued to rise to 13.11 mag (R), close to the peak of the December outburst. The most recent measurement taken with the SKYNET R-COP telescope in Perth, Australia, indicates that the target is fading. At 13UT on March 3rd, its brightness has decreased to R=13.21. Further multiwavelength coverage is encouraged