Abstract
A critical observation for testing the KRM jet model, in development at FIU, is to observe high time resolution, high accuracy photometry and polarimetry over a wide range of frequencies in the optically thin portion of the synchrotron spectrum. The detection of micro-variability during these observations would be ideal so the background and flaring components could be separated. Target of opportunity H-band photometry and polarimetry observations on the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) 10.4-m with the Canarias InfraRed Camera Experiment (CIRCE) instrument were made in conjunction with the Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA) JKT observing in the optical VRI bands in order to test the model. Here we present simultaneous micro-variability observations of Blazar S5 0716+71 made on 14 April 2017, with the CIRCE instrument on the GTC 10.4-m telescope and optical observations made with the 1.0-m SARA JKT in La Palma. The CIRCE observations consisted of high time resolution polarimetric observations in the H band over a period of 2.4 h on source, measuring both the H-band flux and the polarization degree and angle. Simultaneous observations with the SARA JKT 1.0-m yielded VRI light curves with about three minute time resolution over ∼4 h. 0716+71 showed only small amounts of variability during the observation. We present here the resulting data and a comparison to previous observations.
Highlights
Blazar S5 0716+71 is one of the most interesting blazars because its duty cycle for micro-variations is on the order of 80–90% [1]
A confluence of good weather and accessibility of both the Gran Telescopio Canarias (GTC) 10.4-m and Southeastern Association for Research in Astronomy (SARA) JKT telescopes occurred on the night of 16 April 2017
We closely monitored the optical brightness of S5 0716+71 leading up to our simultaneous observation
Summary
Blazar S5 0716+71 is one of the most interesting blazars because its duty cycle for micro-variations is on the order of 80–90% [1]. The motivation for the observation is to test the KRM turbulent jet model under development at Florida International University (cf [1,2]). Micro-variability is explained by breaking the jet into turbulent cells with randomly directed magnetic fields, so that when a shock encounters a turbulent cell, the flux is increased These temporary increases, during the encounter with the cell, are referred to as pulses or flares. Solutions to the particle kinetic equations with synchrotron cooling allows us to predict the shape of a pulse emitted at a particular frequency as the result of the shock interacting with a turbulent cell. As the model predicts the direction of the magnetic field would be randomly oriented within cells, the strength of the synchrotron emission and the degree of polarization would be variable as well, and predictions on these variations would allow for further testing of the model. While the simultaneous CIRCE/JKT observation was postponed indefinitely, 0716+71 started to brighten in April, and the simultaneous observations were scheduled
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
