Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Diversity in Multi-Wavelength Behavior of Bright Gamma-Ray Blazars

S. G. Jorstad
A. P. Marscher, V. M. Larionov, P. S. Smith, I. Agudo, A. Lahteenmaki, M. A. Gurwell

Abstract:

The Boston University group performs monthly monitoring of a sample of gamma-ray blazars, the VLBA-BU-BLAZAR program (http://www.bu.edu/blazars/VLBAproject.html), with the Very Long Baseline array at 43 GHz. I will present analysis of multi-wavelength (gamma-ray/X-ray/optical/millimeter wave) variability along with optical polarization and parsec scale jet behavior of some of the most active gamma-ray blazars (3C454.3, 3C279, 1222+216, 0954+658, 0836+710, 0827+243, 1510-089, and 1633+382) during the Fermi era. I will demonstrate significant diversity in the multi-wavelength behavior among the blazars and among different outbursts in a blazar. While 90% of gamma-ray events are associated with the passage of a superluminal disturbance through the VLBI core of the jet, 65% of superluminal knots do not produce detectable gamma-ray activity but can be associated with optical and X-ray flares. This diversity in the multi-wavelength variability requires long-term monitoring to provide observational basis for theoretical models. This research is funded in part by NASA Fermi Guest Investigator grants NNX14AQ58G and NNX13AO99G.