Optical polarimetry of BL Lacertae objects and violent variable quasars

Journal Article · Thu Oct 31 23:00:00 EST 1985 · Astrophys. J., Suppl. Ser.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/191075· OSTI ID:5486194

Sitko, M L; Schmidt, G D; Stein, W A

Recent optical polarimetric and photometric data on 24 BL Lacertae objects and optically violent variable quasars are presented. Out of 12 objects for which the polarimetric S/N is greater than 9, statistically significant wavelength dependence in the percent polarization was detected in five objects (OJ 287, Mrk 421, Ton 599, 1308 + 326, and 3C 345), with marginal evidence for such an effect in two more (3C 279 and BL Lac). Polarization in excess of 25 percent was detected at some time in eight objects out of 24. In BL Lac and 3C 345, there is evidence that the planes of optical polarization were fairly well aligned with the milliarsecond radio structures as determined by contemporaneous VLBI observations. 45 references.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Univ., Minneapolis; Kitt Peak National Observatory, Tuscon, AZ; Steward Observatory, Tucson, AZ
• OSTI ID: 5486194
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., Suppl. Ser.; (United States), Journal Name: Astrophys. J., Suppl. Ser.; (United States) Vol. 59; ISSN APJSA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640103* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Quasi-Stellar
Radio
& X-Ray Sources-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BL LACERTAE OBJECTS
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
PHOTOMETRY
POLARIZATION
QUASARS
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SYNCHROTRON RADIATION
VARIATIONS
WAVELENGTHS