We have obtained simultaneous and continuous photo-polarization observations of the blazar BL Lacertae in optical and near-infrared (NIR) bands during a historical outburst from 2020 to 2021. In total, fourteen nights of observations were performed where ten observations show microvariability on timescales of a few minutes to several hours. This suggests a compact emission region, and the timescales are diﬃcult to explain by a one-zone shock-in-jet model. Moreover, we found signiﬁcant diﬀerences in the polarization degree (PD) and angle between optical and NIR bands. Nine nights showed a PD in the optical band that is greater than or equal to that in the NIR band, which can be explained by either a shock-in-jet model or the Turbulent Extreme Multi-Zone (TEMZ) model. On the other hand, ﬁve nights showed higher PD in a NIR band than an optical band,

/pdf/the-microvariability-and-wavelength-dependence-of-1t5suqet.pdf

The microvariability and wavelength dependence of polarization degree/angle of BL Lacertae in the outburst 2020 to 2021

We present the most extensive and well-sampled long-term multiband near-infrared (NIR) temporal and spectral variability study of OJ 287, considered to be the best candidate binary supermassive black hole blazar. These observations were made between 2007 December and 2021 November. The source underwent ∼2–2.5 mag variations in the J, H, and Ks NIR bands. Over these long-term timescales there were no systematic trends in either flux or spectral evolution with time or with the source’s flux states. However, on shorter timescales, there are significant variations in flux and spectra indicative of strong changes during different activity states. The NIR spectral energy distributions show diverse facets at each flux state, from the lowest to the highest. The spectra are, in general, consistent with a power-law spectral profile (within 10%) and many of them indicate minor changes (observationally insignificant) in the shift of the peak. The NIR spectra generally steepen during bright phases. We briefly discuss these behaviors in the context of blazar emission scenarios/mechanisms, OJ 287's well-known traditional behavior, and implications for models of the source central engine invoked for its long-term optical semiperiodic variations.

Long-term Multiband Near-infrared Variability of the Blazar OJ 287 during 2007–2021

Based on our dedicated Swift monitoring program, MOMO, OJ 287 is one of the best-monitored blazars in the X-ray–UV–optical regime. Here, we report results from our accompanying, dense, multifrequency (1.4–44 GHz) radio monitoring of OJ 287 between 2015 and 2022 covering a broad range of activity states. Fermi γ-ray observations were added. We characterize the radio flux and spectral variability in detail, including discrete correlation function and other variability analyses, and discuss its connection with the multiwavelength emission. Deep fades of the radio and optical–UV fluxes are found to occur every 1–2 yr. Further, it is shown that a precursor flare of thermal bremsstrahlung predicted by one of the binary supermassive black hole (SMBH) models of OJ 287 was absent. We then focus on the nature of the extraordinary, nonthermal, 2016/2017 outburst that we initially discovered with Swift. We interpret it as the latest of the famous optical double-peaked outbursts of OJ 287, favoring binary scenarios that do not require a highly precessing secondary SMBH.

MOMO. VI. Multifrequency Radio Variability of the Blazar OJ 287 from 2015 to 2022, Absence of Predicted 2021 Pecursor-flare Activity, and a New Binary Interpretation of the 2016/2017 Outburst

BL Lacertae (BL Lac) object OJ 287 is one of the most dynamic blazars across the directly accessible observational windows: spectral, timing, polarization and imaging. Apart from behaviors, considered the characteristics of blazars, it exhibits peculiar timing features like quasi-periodicity in optical flux as well as radio-detected knots position and has shown diverse transient spectral features like a new broadband continuum dominated activity phase, Seyfert-like soft-X-ray excess, highly transient iron line absorption feature, a thermal-like continuum-dominated optical phase, large optical polarization swings associated with one of the timing features, etc., that are rare in blazars and contrary to currently prevailing view of BL Lacs. Theoretical considerations, supported by existing observations invoke scenarios involving a dynamical interplay of accretion and/or strong-gravity-induced events (tidal forces) in a binary supermassive black hole (SMBH) scenario to impact-induced jet and only jet activities. Many of these scenarios have some definite and quite distinctive observationally testable predictions/claims. These considerations make OJ 287 the only BL Lac to have an activity phase with dominance related to accretion and/or accretion-perturbation-induced jet activities. We present a brief overview of the unique spectral features and discuss the potential of these features in exploring not only relativistic jet physics, but also issues pertaining to accretion and accretion-regulated jet activities, i.e., the whole spectrum of issues related to the jet-accretion paradigm. 

/pdf/bl-lac-object-oj-287-exploring-a-complete-spectrum-of-issues-3npa68bb.pdf

BL Lac object OJ 287: exploring a complete spectrum of issues concerning relativistic jets and accretion

AstroSat: II. Highlights of Scientific Results From 2015–2021

We present {\it AstroSat} soft X-ray, near-UV (NUV), and far-UV (FUV) observations of a blazar, OJ~287, carried out in 2017, 2018, and 2020. The simultaneous observations with NuSTAR in 2017 provide a broad-band look encompassing NUV, FUV, soft and hard X-rays. Captured in three different broadband spectral states in three observations, the X-ray spectrum is found to be the hardest during 2018, while the high-energy-end of the simultaneous optical-FUV spectrum shows a steepening that is modeled with a broken power-law spectrum. The spectral energy distribution (SED) in 2017 shows a relatively flatter optical-FUV and soft X-ray spectra, implying an additional emission component. The 2020 optical-FUV spectrum is harder than in 2017 and 2018, with an extremely soft X-ray spectrum and a hardening above $\sim$1 GeV, similar to the SEDs of High-energy-peaked BL Lac objects (HBL), thereby establishing that this additional emission component has HBL-like properties. The {\it AstroSat} multi-wavelength observations trace the spectral evolution from the end-phase of the HBL component in 2017 to its disappearance in 2018 followed by its revival in 2020. A single zone leptonic model reproduces the 2018 broadband spectrum while the 2017 and 2020 SEDs require an additional HBL-like emitting zone. The spectral evolution of the high-energy-end of the optical-UV spectrum, revealed by the FUV observations in 2017 and 2018, strongly suggests that X-ray spectral changes in the normal broadband spectral state of OJ~287 are primarily due to the evolution of the optical-UV synchrotron spectrum.

A Agarwal

Papers

Spectral States of OJ 287 blazar from Multi-wavelength Observations with AstroSat