Photometric Monitoring of Blazar 3C 66A with the Yunnan University Astronomical Observatory 1 m Telescope

3C 66A is one of our first batches of photometric monitoring objects with the 1 m optical telescope at Yunnan University Astronomical Observatory.In the present work,the observational campaign was performed from 2021 November 1 to 2022 February 27 in the Johnson-Morgan system V and R bands.The average magnitudes in each band were■=15.52±0.18 mag and■=15.07±0.17 mag.The overall variability amplitudes wereΔV=■,Amp=70.27%andΔR=■,Amp=68.56%,respectively.Most of the intraday variabilities(IDVs)occurred in 2021 December and 2022 February.The minimal rise/decay timescale was about 6 minutes(5.82±2.74 minutes and 6.18±2.81 minutes on 2022 February 11,6.99±3.70 minutes and 6.17±2.91 minutes on 2022 February 12).Durations of these rapid variabilities were from 11.99 to 179.67 minutes.The discrete correlation function analyses between V and R bands showed significantly correlated variability.Color index analysis of ID Vs showed that the spectrums do not change with variabilities.

Simultaneous optical g, r, i monitoring and IDV periodic analysis for quasar 3C 454.3

With the 1.26 m National Astronomical Observatory-Guangzhou University Infrared/Optical Telescope(NAGIOT) at Xinglong Station of National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences, we obtained 419 groups of simultaneous observations at g, r and i bands, for the first time,targeting quasar 3 C 454.3 during 15 nights from 2016 October 23 to 2016 December 15. Based on our observations, we investigate the optical variabilities, the relation between brightness and color index, and the periodicity variability. The presented analyses demonstrate that: 1. The maximum variations at the g, r and i bands are △mg|max= 1.015 ± 0.042 mag,△mr|max= 1.188 ± 0.050 mag and △mi|max= 1.305 ± 0.057 mag respectively. 2. During our 15 night monitoring program, intra-day variability was detected on one night(Nov. 2). Also, the brightness increased by A = 15.86% over 50.8 min,then decreased by A = 22.42% over 40.1 min. After a small bright state, its brightness increased again by18.1% over 55 min at the g band. Similar phenomena happened at r and i bands. The intra-day variabilities at the three bands on 2016 November 2 indicate a period of 105 min, which implies a black hole mass of MBH =(0.3 ~ 1.85)× 10^9 M⊙. 3. There is an anti-correlation between color index and magnitude,suggesting the source becomes redder when it brightens.

A Possible Periodicity in the Radio Light Curves of 3C 454.3

During the period 1966.5-2006.2 the 15 GHz and 8 GHz light curves of 3C 454.3 （z = 0.859） show a quasi-periodicity of ,-12.8 yr （-6.9 yr in the rest frame of the source） with a double-bump structure. This periodic behaviour is interpreted in terms of a rotating double-jet model in which the two jets are created from the black holes of a binary system and rotating with the period of the orbital motion. The periodic variations in the radio fluxes of 3C 454.3 are suggested to be mainly due to the lighthouse effects （or the variation in Doppler boosting） of the precessing jets caused by the orbital motion. In addition, variations in the rate of mass accreting onto the black holes may be also involved.

A Periodicity Analysis of the Light Curve of 3C 454.3

We analyzed the radio light curves of 3C 454.3 at frequencies 22 and 37 GHz taken from the database of Metsaeovi Radio Observatory, and found evidence of quasi-periodic activity. The light curves show great activity with very complicated non-sinusoidal variations. Two possible periods, a very weak one of 1.57 ± 0.12 yr and a very strong one of 6.15 ±0.50 yr were consistently identified by two methods, the Jurkevich method and power specmun estimation. The period of 6.15 ± 0.50 yr is consistent with results previously reported by Ciaramella et al. and Webb et al. Applying the binary black hole model to the central structure we found black hole masses of 1.53 × 10^9M⊙ and 1.86 × 10^8M⊙, and predicted that the next radio outburst is to take place in 2006 March and April.

Long-term multi-wavelength variations of Fermi blazar 3C 279

Long-term optical,X-ray and γ-ray data of blazar 3 C 279 have been compiled from Swift-XRT,RXTE-PCA,Fermi-LAT,SMARTS and literature.The source exhibits strong variability on long timescales.From the 1980 s until now,the optical R band light curve spans more than 32 yr,and a possible 5.6-yr-long quasi-periodic variation component has been found in it.The optical spectral behavior has been investigated.In the optical band,the mean spectral index is –1.71.The source exhibits an obvious special spectral behavior.In the low state,the source manifests a clear bluer-when-brighter behavior in the sense that the optical spectrum turns harder(flatter) when the brightness increases.While in the high state,the optical spectrum is stable,which means the source spectral index does not vary with brightness.The correlation analysis has been performed among optical,X-ray and γ-ray energy bands.The result indicates that the variations of γ-ray and X-ray bands are well correlated without time delay on the timescale of days,and their variations exhibit weak correlations with those of the optical band.The variations,especially outbursts,are simultaneous,but the magnitude of variations is disproportionate.The detailed analysis reveals that the main outbursts exhibit strong correlations in different γ-ray,X-ray and optical bands.

Optical monitoring and IDV analysis of the blazars S50716+714 and 3C 273

S50716+714 and 3C 273 are frequently studied blazars,which show obvious optical variabilities with different timescales.Using the 1.0 m telescope at the Yunnan Observatory,we monitored the two sources.For S50716+714,we report 990 observations during the monitoring duration from JD 2458536 to JD 2458540.For 3C 273,there are 884 observations during the monitoring duration from JD 2458539 to JD2458542.Based on those observations,we obtain the following results.(1)For S50716+714,there lie intraday optical variabilities(IDVs),with timescales from 0.31 hours to 2.64 hours.For 3C 273,it is possible that there lie IDVs,with timescales from 0.36 hours to 0.49 hours.(2)The time delay of S50716+714 isτRI=3.46 min between R and I bands,and the time delay of 3C273 isτIV=6.42 min between I and V bands.(3)We find that,for S50716+714,there lies a suspected intra-day period,P≈185.78 min;for 3C273,there lie intra-day periods,which are about~60 min and~80 min.

Flux and spectral variation characteristics of 3C 454.3 at the GeV band

We analyze the long-term lightcurve of 3C 454.3 observed with Fermi/LAT and investigate its relation to flux in the radio,optical and X-ray bands.By fitting the 1-day binned Ge V lightcurve with multiple Gaussian functions（MGF）,we propose that the typical variability timescale in the Ge V band is 1–10 d.The Ge V flux variation is accompanied by the spectral variation characterized as fluxtracking,i.e.,＂harder when brighter.＂The Ge V flux is correlated with the optical and X-ray fluxes,and a weak correlation betweenγ-ray flux and radio flux is also observed.Theγ-ray flux is not correlated with the optical linear polarization degree for the global lightcurves,but they show a correlation for the lightcurves before MJD 56000.The power density spectrum of the global lightcurve shows an obvious turnover at^7.7 d,which may indicate a typical variability timescale of 3C 454.3 in theγ-ray band.This is also consistent with the derived timescales by fitting the global lightcurve with MGF.The spectral evolution and an increase in the optical linear polarization degree along with the increase inγ-ray flux may indicate that the radiation particles are accelerated and the magnetic field is ordered by the shock processes during the outbursts.In addition,the nature of 3C 454.3 may be consistent with a self-organized criticality system,similar to Sagittariusand thus the outbursts could be from plasmoid ejections driven by magnetic reconnection.This may further support the idea that the jet radiation regions are magnetized.

Periodicity of the ejection of superluminal components in 3C345

The search for periodic behavior in Blazars has been an important subject, which is helpful for providing significant clues to the structure and physical processes of their central energy engine. A binary black hole system has recently been suggested for causing precession of relativistic jets and rotation of the ejection position angle of VLBI knots in superluminal sources. It has been suggested that in QSO 3C345, the ejection direction of the superluminal knots rotates due to the precession of the central engine and thus the ejection position angle of the successive knots shows a periodic behavior. Some authors argue for a period of precession being ～5.6 yr （Abraham ＆ Caproni）, ～8-10 yr （Klare et al.） and ～9.5 yr （Lobanov ＆ Roland）. Applying the helical model proposed by Qian et al. and selecting appropriate parameters to fit the initial trajectories （within 0.3 mas） of all the components （C4 to C10）, we derive the relation between the ejection position angle of the components and their precession phase, and thus find a 6.9-year precession period （4.3 yr in the source frame）, which can fit the ejection position angle of all these superluminal knots well. Since the VLBI observations have covered more than two precession periods, confirmation in one or more future periods would be important. In addition, we emphasize that the initial parts of the trajectories of these knots can be fitted by a common helical pattern （channel） through a precessing of its initial phase. This scenario （or helical precessing model） is different from the usual ballistic precessing model in which the individual superluminal knots move along straight-lines after ejection （Tateyama ＆ Kingham）.

Chaotic Feature in the Light Curve of 3C 273

Some nonlinear dynamical techniques, including state-space reconstruction and correlation integral, are used to analyze the light curve of 3C 273. The result is compared with a chaotic model. The similarities between them suggest there is a low-dimension chaotic attractor in the light curve of 3C 273.

Analysis of the 3C 445 soft X-ray spectrum as observed by Chandra high-energy gratings

We present a detailed analysis of the soft X-ray emission of 3 C 445 using an archival Chandra High Energy Transmission Grating（HETG） spectrum. Highly-ionized H-and He-like Mg, Si and S lines, as well as a resolved low-ionized Si Kα line, are detected in the high resolution spectrum. The He-like triplets of Mg and Si are resolved into individual lines, and the calculated R ratios indicate a high density for the emitter. The low values of G ratios indicate the lines originate from collisionally ionized plasmas. However, the detection of a resolved narrow Ne X radiative recombination continua（RRC） feature in the spectrum seems to prefer a photoionized environment. The spectrum is subsequently modeled with a photoionization model, and the results are compared with those of a collisional model. Through a detailed analysis of the spectrum, we exclude a collisional origin for these emission lines. A one-component photoionization model provides a great fit to the emission features. The best-fit parameters are log ξ = 3.3^＋0.4-0.3 erg cm s^-1, n H = 5^＋15 -4.5× 10^10 cm^-3 and NH = 2.5^＋3.8 -1.7× 10^20 cm^-2.According to the calculated high density for the emitter, the measured velocity widths of the emission lines and the inferred radial distance（6 × 10^14-8 × 10^15 cm）, we suggest the emission lines originating from matter are located in the broad line region（BLR）.

Model fitting of the kinematics of ten superluminal components in blazar 3C 279

The kinematics of ten superluminal components （C11-C16, C18, C20, C21 and C24） of blazar 3C 279 are studied from VLBI observations. It is shown that their initial trajectory, distance from the core and apparent speed can be well fitted by the precession model proposed by Qian. Combined with the results of the model fit for the six superluminal components （C3, C4, C7a, C8, C9 and C10） already pub-lished, the kinematics of sixteen superluminal components can now be consistently interpreted in the precession scenario with their ejectiontimes spanning more than 25 yr （or more than one precession period）. The results from model fitting show the possible existence of a common precessing trajectory for these knots within a pro- jected core distance of ～0.2-0.4 mas. In the framework of the jet-precession scenario, we can, for the first time, identify three classes of trajectories which are character-ized by their collimation parameters. These different trajectories could be related to the helical structure of magnetic fields in the jet. Through fitting the model, the bulk Lorentz factor, Doppler factor and viewing angle of these knots are derived. It is found that there is no evidence for any correlation between the bulk Lorentz factor of the components and their precession phase （or ejection time）. In a companion paper, the kinematics of another seven components （C5a, C6, C7, C17, C19, C22 and C23） have been derived from model fitting, and a binary black-hole/jet scenario was envisaged. The precession model proposed by Qian would be useful for understanding the kine- matics of superluminal components in blazar 3C 279 derived from VLBI observations, by disentangling different mechanisms and ingredients. More generally, it might also be helpful for studying the mechanism of jet swing （wobbling） in other blazars.

Fermi/LAT observations of lobe-dominant radio galaxy 3C 207 and possible radiation region of γ-rays

3 C 207 is a lobe-dominant radio galaxy with a one sided jet and bright knots, spanning a kpcMpc scale, which have been resolved in the radio, optical and X-ray bands. This target was confirmed as a γ-ray emitter with Fermi/LAT, but it is uncertain whether the γ-ray emission region is the core or knots due to the low spatial resolution of Fermi/LAT. We present an analysis of its Fermi/LAT data acquired during the past 9 years. Different from the radio and optical emission from the core, it is found that theγ-ray emission is steady without detection of flux variation at over a 2σ confidence level. This likely implies that the γ-ray emission is from its knots. We collect the radio, optical and X-ray data of knot-A,the closest knot from the core at 1.4′′, and compile its spectral energy distribution(SED). Although the single-zone synchrotron+SSC+IC/CMB model that assumes knot-A is at rest can reproduce the SED in the radio-optical-X-ray band, the predicted γ-ray flux is lower than the LAT observations and the derived magnetic field strength deviates from the equipartition condition by 3 orders of magnitude. Assuming that knot-A is moving relativistically, its SED from radio to γ-ray bands would be represented well with the single-zone synchrotron+SSC+IC/CMB model under the equipartition condition. These results likely suggest that the γ-ray emission may be from knot-A via the IC/CMB process and the knot should have relativistical motion. The jet power derived from our model parameters is also roughly consistent with the kinetic power estimated with radio data.

A modified stratified model for the 3C 273 jet

We present a modified stratified jet model to interpret the observed spectral energy distributions of knots in the 3C 273 jet. Based on the hypothesis of the single index of the particle energy spectrum at injection and identical emission processes among all the knots, the observed difference of spectral shape among different 3C 273 knots can be understood as a manifestation of the deviation of the equivalent Doppler factor of stratified emission regions in an individual knot from a characteristic one. The summed spectral energy distributions of all ten knots in the 3C 273 jet can be well fitted by two components; a low-energy component （radio to optical） dominated by synchrotron radiation and a high- energy component （UV, X-ray and γ-ray） dominated by inverse Compton scattering of the cosmic microwave background. This gives a consistent spectral index of α = 0.88 （Sv ∝ v^-α） and a characteristic Doppler factor of 7.4. Assuming the average of the summed spectrum as the characteristic spectrum of each knot in the 3C 273 jet, we further get a distribution of Doppler factors. We discuss the possible implications of these results for the physical properties in the 3C 273 jet. Future GeV observations with GLAST could separate the 7-ray emission of 3C 273 from the large scale jet and the small scale jet （i.e. the core） through measuring the GeV spectrum.

Interpretation of the"Catastrophe"of Quasars on the Basis of New Decisions of the Problem of the Reverse Compton-Effect

In a model based on a search with increased accuracy of calculations-four times-of all the roots of the equations for the velocities of electrons in the inverse Compton effect,it is established that for new values of the roots of the equations(corresponding to the laws of conservation of momentum and energy),the recoil electrons remain ultra-relativistic,according to the authors,allows to eliminate the reverse Compton catastrophe of quasars.The maximum value of the scattering angle of the formed particles was found to explain the thin quasar jets.

Spectral Reversal and Stratification of the Jet in 3C 273

Quasi-simultaneous VLBI observations at 15-86 GHz have shown that in the classical superluminal radio source 3C273, the spectral index a (Sv ∝ vα) has a systematic variation along the jet. For epoch 1995.15, a spectral reversal was observed at core distance - 1.5 mas, where the superluminal knot C12 located. Similarly, for epoch 1997.18, two spectral reversals were observed at core distances of -1.8 mas and -4.2 mas, where superluminal knots C11 and C14 werel respectively. These spectral reversals are associated with local maxim of the jet width. We suggest that this phenomenon may be related to a stratification of the jet structure, i.e., its physical parameters (flow velocity, Doppler factor, electron density and energy, magnetic field strength, etc.) are substantially dependent on the distance from the jet axis. These properties may be naturally formed through gasdynamic processes when the jet expands into a lower pressure ambient medium.

A possible precession period for superluminal ejection in QSO 3C 279

The search for periodic features in fiux variability and superluminal ejection in blazars has been an important subject, which is helpful for providing significant clues to the understanding of the structure and kinematics of relativistic jets （physical processes of acceleration and collimation） and their association with central energy engines （black hole/accretion disk systems）. The wobbling of the ejection position angle of VLBI knots in superluminal sources has been interpreted in terms of the precession of the jet ejection nozzle as one of the alternative interpretations. We study the change with time of the initial position angle of superluminal knots in QSO 3C 279, using VLBI-data collected from the literature spanning more than ～30 yr and propose a jet-nozzle precession model which has very small viewing angles （less than 2°） to fit the long-term trends in both variations in the inner-jet position angle （Chatterjee et al.） and the ejection position angle of the VLBI components. It is shown that an ejection-nozzle precession period of ～25 yr could be appropriate to fit the long-term trend in the variation of the ejection position angle. However, the short-term swings and fluctuations in the ejection position angle cause some uncertainties. We also fit a model to the trajectory of component C4, correcting its non-ballistic motion near the core.

The nature of the γ-ray flare associated with blazar 3C 454.3

We have studied the simultaneous spectral energy distributions （SEDs） of the 2009 December flare and those of the quiescent state of blazar 3C 454.3 by con- structing a multi-component model We find that all six SEDs can be explained by a one-zone leptonic model involving synchrotron self-Compton （SSC） plus external Compton emission from an accretion disk （ECD） and that from a broad-line region （ECC）. X-ray emission is dominated by the SSC mechanism, and the γ-ray spectrum is well represented by a combination of ECD and ECC processes. Our results indicate that the energy density of the magnetic field and electrons decrease with distance from the central engine, and the Doppler factor increases with the blob moving outward in the development of the 2009 December flare. The increase in the observed flux density is possibly due to the increase in the Doppler factor of the blob. The relation between the Doppler factor σb and the distance from the central black hole suggests the magnetically driven jets span a sub-pc scale, and the relation between the magnetic field Bt and the dimension of the emission region R＇b is in good agreement with what is required by conservation of magnetic flux. The weak ＂harder-when-brighter＂ behavior of the γ-ray spectrum could be a result of the increase in Doppler factor during the outward motion of the blob. The parameters during the quiescent state obviously deviate from those during the flare state. We propose that the flare was likely caused by the ejection of a new blob. The gamma-ray emissions in different states are associated with the evolution of the blob.

Periodic Variations of the Jet Flow Lorentz Factor in 3C 273

C 273 has been observed with VLBI for more than 30 years. The entire data have shown that the position angle of the superluminal knots ejected from the core varies periodically with a period of ~15 years. Moreover, their apparent velocity observed during the period 1963 -- 1997 has systematically decreased by a factor of 2. These remarkable properties are explained in terms of a precessing jet model, in which the ejection Lorentz factor of the superluminal knots has been decreasing during the last thirty years and has superposed on it a short-term (~5 year) oscillation. The periodic variations derived by the model-fitting are compared with the variations in the optical flux density. Binary black hole models are briefly discussed to show possible relations of the observed periods to the periods involved in a binary system (orbital motion, spin of black hole, accretion-disk rotation and Newtonian-driven precession etc.).

The Optical Variability of 3C 273

B-band measurements of 3C273 over some 110 years are compiled and used in a search for periodicities using the Jurkevich method. Periods of 2.0, 13.65±0.20 and 22.5±0.2yr are found. If the long-term periodicity is from the instability of a slim disk, then the periodicity (~ 13yr or ~ 22-yr) suggests masses of 107M for the central black holes.

Model-fitting of the kinematics of superluminal components in blazar 3C 279

A precessing jet-nozzle model with a precession period of about 25 yr has been proposed by Qian to interpret the change with time of the ejection position an- gle of the superluminal components observed using very long baseline interferometry （VLBI） in the blazar 3C 279. We discuss the kinematic properties of six superluminal knots （C3, C4, C7a, C8, C9 and C10） and show that their trajectory, core-distance and apparent speed, derived from VLBI observations, can be consistently well fitted by the model. Their intrinsic Lorentz factors of bulk superluminal motion are thus derived, and the evidence shows no relation between Lorentz factor and the precession phase. Interestingly, for the C7a and C8 knots, the fitted core-distance ranges from ,,～0.1 mas to ～0.4 mas and for knots C9 and C10 from ～0.2mas to ～1.0-1.5 mas. For knot C4, its trajectory and apparent velocity are well fitted in the core-distance range from H1 mas to ～5 mas, taking into account a curvature of the trajectory at core-distance larger than ,,～3 mas. The consistent fitting of the kinematics of these components clearly demonstrates that the amplitude function and collimation param- eter adopted in the precession model are appropriate and applicable for both the in- ner and outer parts of the jet in 3C 279, but in some cases the jet curvature in the outer parts （or deviation from the model trajectory） needs to be seriously taken into consideration. With the exception of C4, the ejection position angles derived from the precession model are consistent with the values measured by VLBI observations （within about 3° - 6°）. Undoubtedly, the consistent interpretation of the kinematics in terms of the precession model for these superluminal components, with their ejection time spanning -～24 yr, significantly expands its applicability and implies that regular patterns of trajectories （or rotating channels） could exist in some periods.