Polarimetry and photometry of active quasars at visual and near-infrared wavelengths

Thesis/Dissertation · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1986

OSTI ID:7185679

Smith, P S

The optical and near-infrared continua of highly luminous BL Lacertae (BL Lac) objects and optically violent variable (OVV) quasars are studied through simultaneous broad-band photometry and linear polarimetry. Nineteen BL Lacs and OVVs were monitored during a approx.1 1/2-year period, with the major aim of characterizing the wavelength-dependent polarization exhibited by these objects. Optical (UBVRI) observations were conducted at the UCSD/U. Minn. 1.5-m telescope on Mt. Lemmon, Arizona. Simultaneous (within 1 hr.) near-infrared (JHK) measurements were made using the KPNO 2.1-m telescope. Most of the BL Lac objects exhibit large variations in polarization and brightness on time scale of less than a week. The degree of fractional linear polarization (P) is not observed to be related to brightness or optical spectral index. Most BL Lacs did not show a preferred polarization position angle (theta). Wavelength-dependent P and theta are observed in almost all BL Lacs, but not always simultaneously. The OVV quasar 1156 + 295 shows behavior very similar to the BL Lac objects. 3C 345 Exhibited polarization properties that are quite different from those of the BL Lacs. This object showed a clear correlation between brightness and P.

• Research Organization: New Mexico Univ., Albuquerque (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7185679
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640102* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Stars & Quasi-Stellar
Radio & X-Ray Sources
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
BL LACERTAE OBJECTS
BRIGHTNESS
CORRELATIONS
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
INFRARED RADIATION
INFRARED SPECTRA
NEAR INFRARED RADIATION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHOTOMETRY
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLARIMETRY
POLARIZATION
QUASARS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
VISIBLE SPECTRA