J/A+A/409/857 Optical polarization of 3C 279 (Andruchow+, 2003)
Microvariability in the optical polarization of 3C 279.
Andruchow I., Cellone S.A., Romero G.E., Dominici T.P., Abraham Z.
<Astron. Astrophys. 409, 857 (2003)>
=2003A&A...409..857A 2003A&A...409..857A
ADC_Keywords: Active gal. nuclei; Polarization ; Galaxies, photometry
Keywords: galaxies: active - galaxies: individual: 3C 279 - polarization -
galaxies: photometry
Abstract:
We present results of a microvariability polarization study in the
violently variable quasar 3C 279. We have resolved the polarization
curves in the V band for this object down to timescales of minutes.
We found two main components in the evolution of the degree of linear
polarization, one consisting of a flicker with timescales of several
tens of minutes and other component with far more significant
variations on timescales of a few days. The linear polarization
descended from ∼17% down to ∼8% in three nights. The polarization
angle underwent a sudden change of more that 10 degrees in a few
hours, perhaps indicating the injection of a new shock in the jet.
The amplitude of the intranight flickering in the degree of
polarization is at the level of ∼1%. These are probably the best
sampled polarization data ever obtained for this object. We also
performed IR observations and we provide a follow-up of the evolution
of this source at such energies after the main polarization outburst.
Description:
Results of the microvariability polarization observations of 3C 279
carried out during 4 consecutive nights in March 2002 (starting on
March 9). Data for each separated pointing are presented.
Objects:
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RA (2000) DE Designation(s)
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12 56 11.2 -05 47 22 3C 279
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File Summary:
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FileName Lrecl Records Explanations
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ReadMe 80 . This file
table2.dat 52 105 Results from polarization observations of 3C 279
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Byte-by-byte Description of file: table2.dat
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Bytes Format Units Label Explanations
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1- 13 F13.5 d JD Julian Date
16- 20 F5.2 % Pv Degree of polarization
23- 26 F4.2 % e_Pv Error associated to Pv
29- 33 F5.2 deg Theta Position angle
34- 37 F4.1 deg e_Theta Error in the position angle
40- 44 F5.2 % U/I Normalized Stokes parameter U
47- 51 F5.2 % Q/I Normalized Stokes parameter Q
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Acknowledgements: Ileana Andruchow
(End) Ileana Andruchow [IAR, Argentina], Patricia Bauer [CDS] 12-Sep-2003