Abstract
In early 1983, OJ287 was seen to undergo an outburst in its optical and infrared emission1. Since then optical monitoring studies2–4 have shown a general decline in the source brightness, with considerable fluctuations. We have monitored the near-infrared emission since the outburst. The fluxes have fluctuated considerably, with the lowest recordings being an order of magnitude less than those measured during the outburst. We have found an excellent correlation between infrared flux and spectral index; as the source gets fainter the spectrum gets steeper, and vice versa. We interpret this in terms of outbursts being due to injection or reacceleration of electrons with a constant energy index which subsequently steepens as the electrons are affected by radiation losses.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Holmes, P. A. et al. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 211, 497–506 (1984).
Corso, G. et al. Astr. Astrophys. 140, L23 (1984).
Sillinpaa, A. et al. Astr. Astrophys. 147, 67–70 (1984).
Moles, M., Garcia-Pelayo, J. & Masegosa, J. Mon. not. R. astr. Soc. 211, 621–627 (1984).
Gear, W. K. et al. Astrophys. J. 291, 511–517 (1985).
Gear, W. K. et al. Astrophys. J. 304, 295–204 (1986).
Landau, R. et al. Astrophys. J. 308, 78–92 (1986).
Roelling, T., Becklin, E. E., Impey, C. D. & Werner, M. W. Astrophys. J. 304, 646–650 (1986).
Hanson, C. G. & Coe, M. J. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 217, 831–842 (1985).
Robson, E. I. et al. Nature 323, 134–136 (1986).
Bart, P., Willis, A. J. & Wilson, R. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 202, 453–466 (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Gear, W., Robson, E. & Brown, L. Infrared variability of the BL lacertae object OJ287 since its outburst in 1983. Nature 324, 546–547 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1038/324546a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/324546a0
This article is cited by
-
The γ $\gamma$ -ray spectral changes in Fermi blazars
Astrophysics and Space Science (2017)
-
The gamma-ray spectral index changes for blazars
Science China Physics, Mechanics and Astronomy (2012)
-
Variability and spectral variation of 3C 66A
Astrophysics and Space Science (2011)
-
Photopolarimetry of 3C 66A in 2003
Astrophysics (2006)
-
The rise and fall of OJ 287 in 1983?1984: Periodicities and wavelength-dependent delays
Astrophysics and Space Science (1991)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
