Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Detection of microvariability for BL Lacertae objects

  • Letter
  • Published:

From Nature

View current issue Submit your manuscript

Abstract

Large-amplitude, rapid optical variability is a well-known identifying characteristic for BL Lacertae objects ('blazars'). Although large-amplitude variations on timescales ranging from days to decades have been well documented1, considerable controversy surrounds the nature of microvariability, that is, optical variations on timescales significantly shorter than a day. Here we report observations of BL Lacertae in which rapid changes were detected in the total optical flux from this object. These variations occurred on timescales as short as 1.5 hours. Although their structure is complex, the minimum timescale for the variations may be used to place constraints on the size of the emitting region. Assuming that these variations are produced in the vicinity of a supermassive black hole, the timescales imply a black-hole mass of 1.42×109 M⊙. Relativistic beaming need not be invoked to account for the present luminosity of this object.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Webb, J. R. et al. Astr. J. 95, 374–397 (1988).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Racine, R. Astrophys. J. 159, L99–103 (1970).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kiplinger, A. L. Astrophys. J. 191, L109–L110 (1974).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Miller, H. R. & McGimsey, B. Q. Astrophys. J. 220, 19–24 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  5. Moore, R. L. et al. Astrophys. J. 260, 415–436 (1982).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  6. Moore, R. L., Schmidt, G. D. & West, S. C. Astrophys. J. 314, 176–186 (1987).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Howell, S. B. & Jacoby, G. J. Publs astr. Soc. Pacif. 98, 802–808 (1986).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Carrasco, L., Dultzin-Hacyan, D. & Cruz-Gonzalz, I. Nature 314, 146–148 (1985).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Wiita, P. J. Phys. Rep. 123, 117–213 (1985).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30303, USA

    H. R. Miller & M. T. Carini

  2. National Optical Astronomy Observations, PO Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona, 85726-6732, USA

    B. D. Goodrich

Authors
  1. H. R. Miller
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. M. T. Carini
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. B. D. Goodrich
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Miller, H., Carini, M. & Goodrich, B. Detection of microvariability for BL Lacertae objects. Nature 337, 627–629 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1038/337627a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/337627a0

  • Springer Nature Limited

This article is cited by

Search

Navigation