Unusual optical quiescence of the classical BL Lac object PKS 0735+178 on intranight time-scale

We present the result of our extensive intranight optical monitoring of the well-known low-energy peaked BL Lac (LBL) object PKS 0735+178. This long-term follow-up consists of R -band monitoring for a minimum duration of ∼4 hours, on 17 nights spanning 11 years (1998–2008). Using the CCD as an N-star photometer, a detection limit of around 1 per cent was attained for the intranight optical variability (INOV). Remarkably, an INOV amplitude of  ≥3 per cent  on hour-like time-scale was not observed on any of the 17 nights, even though the likelihood of a typical LBL showing such INOV levels in a single session of  ≳4  hours duration is known to be high  (∼50 per cent)  . Our observations have thus established a peculiar long-term INOV quiescence of this radio-selected BL Lac object. Moreover, the access to unpublished optical monitoring data of similarly high sensitivity, acquired in another programme, has allowed us to confirm the same anomalous INOV quiescence of this LBL all the way back to 1989, the epoch of its historically largest radio outburst. Here, we present observational evidence revealing the very unusual INOV behaviour of this classical BL Lac object and discuss this briefly in the context of its other known exceptional properties.     

Calculating the Light Period of BL Lac Object S5 0716+714 by Wavelet Analysis Method

A kind of wavelet analysis method for identifying the light period of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 is introduced. The rather complete observed data in the four optical wavebands B, V, R, I are collected, and the long-term light curves based on 10-day averaging are obtained. On these light curves, the periodicity analysis is performed by using a wavelet analysis method. The result demonstrates that the wavelet analysis method is preferable for searching and identifying the light periods of BL Lac objects. From the contour map of the real part of the wavelet transform coefficient, the periodical light variations of the BL Lac object S5 0716+714 can be precisely identified. By analyzing the wavelet variance curves at the 4 wavebands, it is found that the BL Lac Object S5 0716+174 has a stable light period of 1160 days. This result is consistent with the 3.3-year period given by Raiteri et al. It is predicted that the next outburst in this object will happen around the August of 2011.     

A Study of the γ-ray and X-ray Radiations of BL Lac Objects

The X-ray and γ-ray flux densities of 18 γ-loud BL Lac objects as well as their average spectral indices of X-ray wave band (1 keV) and γ-ray wave band (>100 MeV) are collected, and the correlations among the various quantities are examined. The results indicate: (1) The X-ray flux density and the γ-ray flux density exhibit rather strong correlations in all the states, high, low or mediate. (2) Between the mean spectral indices in X-ray and γ-ray wave bands there is a comparatively intense anti-correlation. (3) Between the average spectral indices and the X-ray and γ- flux densities there is no evident correlation either in the high or the mediate state. (4) Between the average spectral index of γ-ray wave band and the flux density of X-rays in low state there is a rather strong anticorrelation. Between the mean spectral index of X-ray wave band and the γ-flux density in low state there also exists a weak correlation. The results of our analysis support the viewpoint that both the X-ray and γ-ray emissions of BL Lac objects come from the synchrotron radiation and synchrotron self Compton (SSC) radiation with one and the same distribution of relativistic electrons.     

Brightness temperature for 166 radio sources

Using the database of the University of Michigan Radio Astronomy Observatory （UMRAO） at three radio frequencies （4.8, 8 and 14.5 GHz）, we determined the short-term variability timescales for 166 radio sources. The timescales are 0.15d （2007＋777） to 176.17 d （0528-250） with an average timescale of Atobs = 17.1 4- 16.5 d for the whole sample. The timescales are used to calculate the brightness temperatures, TB. The value of log TB is in the range of log TB = 10.47 to 19.06 K. In addition, we also estimated the boosting factor for the sources. The correlation between the polarization and the Doppler factor is also discussed.     

Progress in spectral studies of the FBS blue stellar objects

Spectral observations of 10 FBS blue stellar objects (BSO) with the OHP 1.93-m and BAO 2.6.m telescopes are reported, and overall progress in all the spectral observations and classifications of FBS BSO over 1987–2000 and in the classification of these objects based on all the accessible sources-- in all, 753 out of 1103 objects-- is discussed. Representative slit spectra for the major types of objects are presented and compared with digitized low dispersion spectra from the DFBS. The nature of the FBS objects is examined in terms of advances in the spectral studies. Two-color diagrams are constructed from the SDSS data and are used to find the regions occupied by the various types for further identification of objects of unknown type. Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 52, No. 1, pp. 85–97 (February 2009).     

Polarimetry of Centaurs (2060) Chiron, (5145) Pholus and (10199) Chariklo

Results of the first polarimetric observations of Centaurs (5145) Pholus and (10199) Chariklo, and new observations of (2060) Chiron are presented together with the estimates of their absolute magnitudes. Observations were carried out at the 8 m ESO Very Large Telescope in 2007-2008. They revealed noticeable negative polarization in the phase-angle range 0.5-4.4° with a minimum varying from −1% to −2.1% in the R band. All three objects show diverse polarization phase-angle behaviour, each distinctly different from that of transneptunian objects. We found evidence of surface heterogeneity for Chariklo while Chiron and Pholus appear to have rather homogeneous surfaces. Polarization phase behaviours of Chiron and Pholus are significantly different from any other Solar System bodies studied so far. A shift of negative polarization minima toward small phase angles seems to be a characteristic feature of polarization properties of Centaurs. Presence of a small amount of water frost on a dark surface is considered as one of the possible ways to explain these properties.     

起伏地表二维瑞雷面波正演模拟及波场分析

采用高精度交错网格有限差分法,建立了在起伏地表条件下瑞雷面波数值模拟的自由边界条件,通过对倾斜二层模型模拟的结果与解析解对比,二者完全一致,由此证明了起伏地表下瑞雷面波数值模拟的正确性。在此基础之上,模拟并分析了小凸起与小凹陷模型条件下,瑞雷面波的波场传播特征。通过分析得出瑞雷面波在这二种地形传播时,都存在反射、波型转换,以及能量再分配。因此,在起伏地表条件下,利用瑞雷面波进行勘探时要考虑起伏地表对瑞雷面波波场的影响。     

Spectral study of the Herbig-Haro object HH43

Results from integral spectroscopy of the Herbig-Haro object HH43 are presented. Spectra were obtained with a multi-pupil spectrograph over the range λλ6400–6800 Å. Based on the ratio of emission lines, as well as on the radial velocities, we have obtained a more precise picture of the dynamic processes taking place in this object, which belongs to the rare class of “shocked cloudlet.” In particular, this classification of the object is confirmed by a determination of the exact location of the snock front. The rate of mass loss from the source star is estimated. __________ Translated from Astrofizika, Vol. 50, No. 3, pp. 405–414 (August 2007).     

射电源的谱指数

文章研究了162个射电源,其中包括了47个BL Lacs ,21个galaxies ,94个平谱射电类星体( FSRQs ) ,这些源是通过Michigan大学的26m的射电望远镜观测的。大多数源都包含了3个波段的观测数据:4 .8GHz ,8GHz和14 .5GHz。文中计算了3个子类的平均的流量密度,并且得到了相应的谱指数(αwei) ,αBL=0 .08±0 .28 ,αGAL=-0 .91±0 .32 ,αFSRQ=-0 .14±0 .4。同时也讨论了这些源的射电性质,其中包含了谱指数,流量密度和红移之间的关系,流量密度和谱指数之间的关系。