QUASI-PERIODIC OSCILLATIONS OF {approx}15 MINUTES IN THE OPTICAL LIGHT CURVE OF THE BL LAC S5 0716+714

Journal Article · Fri Aug 20 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Astrophysical Journal Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/719/2/L153· OSTI ID:21450961

Rani, Bindu; Gupta, Alok C ^[1]; Joshi, U C; Ganesh, S ^[2]

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1. Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Manora Peak, Nainital 263 129 (India)
2. Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009 (India)

Over the course of 3 hr on 2008 December 27, we obtained optical (R band) observations of the blazar S5 0716+714 at a very fast cadence of 10 s. Using several different techniques, we find fluctuations with an approximately 15 minute quasi-period to be present in the first portion of these data at a >3{sigma} confidence level. This is the fastest quasi-periodic oscillation that has been claimed to be observed in any blazar at any wavelength. While these data are insufficient to strongly constrain models for such fluctuations, the presence of such a short timescale when the source is not in a very low state seems to favor the action of turbulence behind a shock in the blazar's relativistic jet.

• OSTI ID: 21450961
• Journal Information: Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol. 719, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1088/2041-8205/719/2/L153; ISSN 2041-8205
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

79 ASTROPHYSICS
COSMOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY
BL LACERTAE OBJECTS
GALAXIES
OSCILLATIONS
PHOTOMETRY
RELATIVISTIC RANGE
TURBULENCE
WAVELENGTHS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ENERGY RANGE