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Observations of a Major Outburst of BL Lacertae in the Active Galactic Nuclei Monitoring Program in the Center for Automated Space ScienceBL Lacertae (BL Lac) is the prototype for a class of Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) known as BL Lac objects. These objects are characterized by a featureless optical continuum that is both highly polarized and extremely variable. Historically, this object is known to have an optical variability range of 5 magnitudes (Webb, et al., 1987, Carini, et al. 1992) and exhibits episodic periods in which the source is observed to be bright (V = 12.0) and other periods when the source is observed to be quite faint (V = 16.5). In May, 1997, we found, in the course of our routine monitoring of these objects, that BL Lac was in an elevated state, with a V magnitude peaking near V = 12.5. The purpose of this paper is to report on our observations of the behavior of the optical continuum flux of BL Lac during this major outburst.
Document ID
20000032216
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Carini, M. T.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Hackney, K. R.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Clements, S. D.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Culler, R. C.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Hackney, R. L.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Noble, J. C.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Gelderman, R. G.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Scott, R. L.
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
McGruder, C. H., III
(University of Western Kentucky Bowling Green, KY United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
February 22, 1998
Publication Information
Publication: NASA University Research Centers Technical Advances in Aeronautics, Space Sciences and Technology, Earth Systems Sciences, Global Hydrology, and Education
Volume: 2 and 3
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NCC5-228
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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