Fast brightness variations of blazars in the radio and optical

We present coordinated synchronous observations of Active Galactic Nuclei in the radio and optical, aimed at searching for fast (intraday) flux variations and possible correlations in the flux variations in different wavebands. Our observations were performed with the 22-m radio telescope of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory at 22.2 and 36.8 GHz and the Zeiss-1000 reflector of the Special Astrophysical Observatory in the R filter, using a CCD photometer. We performed five observing runs of 7–10 nights each in 2004–2006. We obtained radio and optical light curves for the variable extragalactic radio sources DA 55, 1633+382, 2134+004, 2145+067, and 2251+158. We detected short-duration flares of DA 55 and 2134+004 in the R band with variations of 0.2 ^m within about 15 minutes. The other sources did not show any considerable flux variations. The radio flux variations of DA 55 and 2134+004 reached 1.5 Jy in about 15 minutes, and those of 2145+067 reached 2 Jy in 2 hours. We observed chaotic flux variations in 2251+158, by 2–2.5 Jy in half an hour. We detected no correlation between the radiation in the optical and radio.     

On the existence of planets around the pulsar PSR B0329+54

Results of timing measurements of the pulsar PSR B0329+54 obtained in 1968–2012 using the Big Scanning Antenna of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory (at 102 and 111 MHz), the DSS 13 and DSS 14 telescopes of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (2388 MHz), and the 64 m telescope of the Kalyazin Radio Astronomy Observatory (610 MHz) are presented. The astrometric and rotational parameters of the pulsar are derived at a new epoch. Periodic variations in the barycentric timing residuals have been found, which can be explained by the presence of a planet orbiting the pulsar, with an orbital period P₁ = 27.8 yr, mass m _c sin i = 2M_?, and orbital semi-major axis a = 10.26 AU. The results of this study do not confirm existence of a proposed second planet with orbital period P₂ = 3 yr.     

Rapid variability of the radio flux density of the blazar J0721+7120 (S5 0716+714) in 2010

Results of a study of the variability of the blazar J0721+7120 carried out on the RATAN-600 based on daily observations from March 5, 2010 to April 30, 2010 at five frequencies from 2.3 to 21.7 GHz are reported. In the same time interval, 13 observing sessions at 37 GHz were carried out on the 14-m radio telescope of the Mets?hovi Radio Astronomy Observatory of the Aalto University School of Technology (Finland). From March 19, 2010 to October 20, 2010, 16 daily sessions at 6.2 cm and five sessions at 3.5 cm were conducted on the 32-m radio telescope of the Zelenchukskaya Observatory (Quasar-KVO complex of the Institute of Applied Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences). A powerful flare was detected during the observations, with a time scale of approximately 20 days, derived from an analysis of the light curves and the structure and autocorrelation functions. The flare spectrum has been determined. In five sessions on the 32-m Zelenchukskaya telescope at 6.2 cm, intraday variability with time scales 8-16 h was detected; in four sessions, trends with time scales longer than a day were observed. In three sessions at 3.5 cm, intraday variability with a time scale of approximately 5 h was detected.     

A multi-frequency study of brightness variations of the blazar 0716+714

Based on long-term monitoring at five radio frequencies between 4.8 and 37 GHz performed at the Radio Astronomy Laboratory of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory, and the Metsähovi Radio Observatory, we have analyzed two flare events in the blazar S5 0716+714 during the last five years. The time separation between the flares is in agreement with data derived earlier from a spectral analysis of flux variations at the above frequencies, which revealed a periodic component with a period of about four years in the variations. We consider the dynamics of strong flares in 2003 and 2007 and determine the delays between the development of the event at various radio frequencies. Our data can be used to draw conclusions about the kinematic and dynamical properties of the source.     

Monitoring compact extragalactic radio sources at 4.8 and 8.6 GHz using the 32-m radio telescope of the Svetloe Radio Astronomy Observatory

We present the results of monitoring of the integrated fluxes of variable extragalactic sources at 4.8 and 8.6 GHz at the Svetloe Radio Astronomy Observatory (Institute of Applied Astronomy, Russian Academy of Sciences) from 1999 up to the present. More than 1000 observations of 36 sources have been carried out over this monitoring interval. We describe some of the most interesting flares detected in a number of sources, including the well-known objects 0851+202, 3C 345, and BL Lac. Even observations of variability at two frequencies can be very useful for planning astrophysical and astrometric observations. We briefly discuss the possibility of enhancing the effectiveness of the monitoring by expanding the range of frequencies to 22 GHz and adding polarization observations.     

Non-stationary emission of the blazar S4 0954+658 over a wide range of wavelength

Data from long-term multi-frequency monitoring are used to analyze variations in the flux density of the active galactic nucleus S4 0954+658. These data were obtained at the CrimeanAstrophysical Observatory, the Metsähovi Radio Observatory of Aalto University, the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory, the Cavendish Laboratory of Cambridge University, the Special Astrophysical Observatory, and the National Institute of Astrophysics, Optics, and Electronics; 0.1–300-GeV data from the Fermi space gamma-ray observatory were also used. Radio data at 4.8, 8, 14.5, 15, 22.2, and 36.8 GHz are considered together with optical and near-infrared data in the R, J, H, and K filters.     

Refractive shift in the position of the pulsar PSR B0329+54, measured at 111, 610, and 2300 MHz

The results of an analysis of timing data for the pulsar PSR B0329+54 obtained in 1968–2012 on the Large Scanning Antenna of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory at 111 MHz, the 64 m DSS-14 telescope of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory at 2.3 GHz, and the 64 m telescope of the Kalyazin Radio Astronomy Observatory at 610 MHz are presented. The astrometric and spin parameters of the pulsar are derived at a new epoch. The coordinates of the pulsar and its proper motion measured at the three frequencies differ. These differences have a systematic character, and are interpreted as a secular, refractive shift in the apparent position of the pulsar that arises because it is observed through large-scale inhomogeneities of the interstellar medium, leading to variations in the angle of refraction.     

Long-term,multi-frequency monitoring of the blazar S0528+134 (Nimfa)

Flux-density variations of the quasar S0528+134 (Nimfa) are analyzed based on long-term monitoring at five radio frequencies between 4.8 and 37 GHz, performed at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, the Metsähovi Radio Observatory of Aalto University, and the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory. The dynamics of a powerful flare in 1996 are analyzed using gamma-ray (0.1–300 GeV), X-ray (2–10 keV, 15–50 keV), and radio observations. The delays of the flare between different spectral ranges and between different radio wavelengths have been measured. The dependence for the delays at different radio wavelengths relative to the X-ray and optical flares is established based on long-term observations in the X-ray, optical, and radio obtained from 2004 to 2013. Multi-frequency monitoring in the radio is used to estimate the orbital and precession periods in the binary supermassive black hole system S0528+134 and the physical characteristics of this system.     

Studies of Giant Pulses from the Pulsar B0301+19 (J0304+1932) at 111 MHz

Astronomy Reports - The results of observations of the pulsar B0301+19 (J0304+1932) carried out on the Large Scanning Antenna of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory at 111 MHz during...     

The variability of a 3C 454.3 blazar over a 40-year period

Variations in the radio flux of 3C 454.3 on various time scales from decades to a year are analyzed using long-term monitoring data at five frequencies from 4.8 to 36.8 GHz obtained at the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory and the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. A spectral analysis of the light curves at the various frequencies reveals the presence of five periodic components. The long-and short-period components of the variability are compared using models for the precessional and orbital periods for motion in the system. The parameters for the supposed binary black-hole system are determined: the dimensions of the orbit and masses of the central black holes. The dynamics of the powerful flare in 2005–2006 are examined, and the time delays for its development from the optical to the radio and between radio frequencies are determined. The different frequency spectra of different individual flares can be explained in a model with a moving, expanding cloud that is first optically thick, then becomes optically thin at successively lower frequencies as it expands.     

Sub-parsec structure of binary supermassive black holes in active galactic nuclei

Long-term, multi-frequency monitoring of the radio fluxes of the four BL Lac objects 3C 120, OJ 287, 1308+326, and BL Lac is considered. Harmonic components of the flux variability on scales from one year to decades are determined. The observational data used were obtained at the Radio Astronomy Laboratory of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory (Ukraine) and the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory (USA). These data are used to construct kinematic models for active galactic nuclei using values for the orbital and precessional periods of binary systems consisting of supermassive black holes. The derived speeds of the companions in their orbits lie in the narrow range 3000–4000 km/s. The orbital radii for the binary supermassive black holes also lie in a narrow range, 10¹⁷–10¹⁸ cm, providing evidence that observed prominent examples of active galactic nuclei are fairly close binary systems. The parameters of the mediumin which the components of the binary systems are moving are estimated, as well as the rates at which the systems are losing orbital angular momentum and their lifetimes to coalescence.     

Long-term optical and radio monitoring of the quasars S5 0716+714 and 4C 38.41 on various time scales

We present the results of long-term radio and optical monitoring of two radio-loud quasars. The aim of the work was to study the objects?? variability on various time scales and search for correlations between the radio and optical emission. The monitoring was performed in 2002?C2010. The radio observations were carried out using the 22-m telescope of the Crimean AstrophysicalObservatory, 26-m telescope of the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory, and 14-m telescope of the Metsahovi Radio Observatory at 4.8, 8.0, 14.5, 22.2, and 36.8 GHz. The optical observations were obtained in the B, V,R bands using the Zeiss-1000 telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory with a CCD photometer. Light curves of the quasars 4C 38.41 (1633+382) and S5 0716+714 are presented. Radio flares of 4C 38.41 with amplitudes of 0.5?C1.0 Jy at 4.8 and 8 GHz and 1?C3 Jy at 22.2 and 36.8 GHz were detected on time scales of about 100 days. The amplitude of the optical brightness variations varied between 0.5 ^m and 1.5 ^m over about 200 days. The amplitudes of the flux variations for S5 0716+714 for the period of two months were 0.5?C1.6 Jy at centimeter and 1?C7 Jy at millimeter wavelengths. The amplitudes of flares in the optical reached 2 ^m in the B and V filters and 2.5 ^m in the R filter, on time scales of 200 days. The color indices of these objects did not change during the period covered by observations, i.e., the objects did not become bluer when they brightened. The detected delays between the variations atmillimeter and centimeter wavelengths are several days, which is within the interval between observations during the long-term monitoring. The absence of a distinct correlation between the optical and radio brightness variations was probably due to the presence of substantial time delays between the phenomena occurring in these different wavelength ranges.     

Detection of Five New RRATs at 111 MHz

Results of 111-MHz monitoring observations carried out on the Big Scanning Antenna of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory during September 1–28, 2015 are presented. Fifty-four pulsating sources were detected at declinations ?9° < δ < 42°. Forty-seven of these are known pulsars, five are new sources, and two are previously discovered transients. Estimates of the peak flux densities and dispersion measures are presented for all these sources.     

Detection of sources of periodic radio emission with the Large Phased Array of the Lebedev Physical Institute

A method for searching for new periodic radio sources is described. The method is based on the spectral analysis of data from daily monitoring of the sky on the Large Phased Antenna (LPA) of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory at 111 MHz in a 2.5-MHz band. The 96-beam directivity pattern of the LPA is used. The signal is received in six 0.42-MHz frequency channels with a sampling rate of 0.1 s. The duration of the processed survey is four months. The particulars of detecting periodic sources with the LPA are considered. In total, 16 such radio sources have been detected, for which equatorial and Galactic coordinates, periods, and dispersion measures are given.     

Multi-frequency studies of the non-stationary radiation of the blazar 3C 454.3

Long-term monitoring data at five radio frequencies from 4.8 to 37 GHz obtained at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory, Metsahovi Radio Observatory of Aalto University, and the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory are used to analyze variations of the flux of the Active Galactic Nucleus (AGN) 3C 454.3. The dynamical characteristics of the three latest powerful flares from 2004 to 2010 are analyzed in detail. Observations in the gamma-ray (0.1–300 GeV), X-ray (2–10 kev, 15–50 keV), and optical are also used. Delays in the development of flares at different frequencies are derived. An empirical frequency dependence for the delays of flares from the gamma-ray to the radio is determined, which can be fit using a logarithmic low and remains the same from flare to flare. The physical characteristics of the central region of the AGN 3C 454.3 are used to estimate the size of its Strömgren sphere, taking into account the relevant mechanisms for heating and cooling the medium, as well as the adopted laws for the variation of the density and temperature with distance from the source of ionization. A model for the location of the radiation regions in the jet at various frequency ranges during the development of flares is proposed.     

Variations of the H2O maser emission of W51M in 1981–1998

The results of spectral monitoring of the maser source W51M carried out in the water-vapor line at 1.35 cm (22GHz) on the 22-m telescope of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory in 1981–1998 are reported and interpreted. Long-term variations of the maser flux with a period of 12–13 years are found. W51M may be a rotating and simultaneously expanding toroidal cloud of gas and dust around a young star with a mass of the order of ～15M _⊙, with numerous high-velocity jets of maser condensations flowing out in two broad cones along the polar axis of the torus. A stellar wind with a velocity of about 2000–3000 km/s is responsible for the maser pumping.     

New observations of anomalous X-ray pulsars at low frequencies

We report the results of new observations of three anomalous X-ray pulsars: 1E 2259+586, 4U 0142+61, and XTE J1810-197. The observations were carried out on high-sensitivity radio telescopes of the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory: the Large Phased Array at 111MHz and the DKR-1000 at 62 MHz. New, digital, multi-channel receivers designed for pulsar observations were used. Pulse profiles and dynamical spectra for the three pulsars are presented. The mean flux density for XTE J1810-197 is estimated to be ∼160 mJy at 62 MHz. An estimated spectral index for this pulsar is also presented.     

Radio and optical spectra of objects from two complete samples of radio sources

We present optical identifications and radio spectra for ten radio sources from two flux-density-complete samples. Radio variability characteristics are presented for four objects. The observations were obtained on the RATAN-600 radio telescope at 0.97–21.7 GHz and the 2.1 m telescope of the Haro Observatory in Cananea, Mexico at 4200–9000 Å. Among the ten objects studied, three are quasars, four are BL Lac objects, two are radio galaxies, and one is a Sy 1 galaxy. Two of the sources identified with BL Lac objects, 0509+0541 and 0527+0331, show rapid variability on time scales of 7–50 days.     

School of modern astrophysics 2010

We present a brief account of lectures presented at the nuclear astrophysics school that took place on June 5–16, 2010 at the Pushchino Radio Astronomy Observatory of the Astro Space Center of the Lebedev Physical Institute (Russian Academy of Sciences).     

Long-Term and Rapid Radio Variability of the Blazar 3C 454.3 in 2010–2017

The article presents the results of observations of the blazar 3C 454.3 (J2253+1608), obtained in 2010–2017 on the RATAN-600 radio telescope of the Special Astrophysical Observatory at 4.6, 8.2, 11.2, and 21.7 GHz and on the 32-m Zelenchuk and Badary radio telescopes of the Quasar VLBI Network of the Institute of Applied Astronomy at 4.84 and 8.57 GHz. Long-term variability of the radio emission is studied, as well as variability on time scales of several days and intraday variability (IDV). Two flares were observed in the long-term light curve, in 2010 and in 2015–2017. The flux density at 21.7 GHz increased by a factor of ten during these flares. The delay in the maximum of the first flare at 4.85 GHz relative to the maximum at 21.7 GHz was six months. The time scale for variability on the descending branch of the first flare at 21.7 GHz was τ_var = 1.2 yrs, yielding an upper limit on the linear size of the emitting region of 0.4 pc, corresponding to an angular size of 0.06 mas. The brightness temperature during the flare exceeded the Compton limit, implying a Doppler factor δ = 3.5, consistent with the known presence of a relativistic jet oriented close to the line of sight. No significant variability on time scales from several days to several weeks was found in five sets of daily observations carried out over 120 days. IDV was detected at 8.57 GHz on the 32-m telescopes in 30 of 61 successful observing sessions, with the presence of IDV correlated with the maxima of flares. The characteristic time scale for the IDV was from two to ten hours. A number of IDV light curves show the presence of a time delay in the maxima in the light curves for simultaneous observations carried out on the Badary and Zelenchuk antennas, which are widely separated in longitude. This demonstrates that the IDV most like arises in the interstellar medium.