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J/A+A/409/857       Optical polarization of 3C 279            (Andruchow+, 2003)
Microvariability in the optical polarization of 3C 279.
    Andruchow I., Cellone S.A., Romero G.E., Dominici T.P., Abraham Z.
   <Astron. Astrophys. 409, 857 (2003)>
   =2003A&A...409..857A
ADC_Keywords: Active gal. nuclei; Polarization ; Galaxies, photometry

Keywords: galaxies: active - galaxies: individual: 3C 279 - polarization -
          galaxies: photometry

Abstract:
    We present results of a microvariability polarization study in the
    violently variable quasar 3C 279. We have resolved the polarization
    curves in the V band for this object down to timescales of minutes. 
    We found two main components in the evolution of the degree of linear
    polarization, one consisting of a flicker with timescales of several
    tens of minutes and other component with far more significant
    variations on timescales of a few days. The linear polarization
    descended from ∼17% down to ∼8% in three nights. The polarization
    angle underwent a sudden change of more that 10 degrees in a few
    hours, perhaps indicating the injection of a new shock in the jet. 
    The amplitude of the intranight flickering in the degree of
    polarization is at the level of ∼1%. These are probably the best
    sampled polarization data ever obtained for this object. We also
    performed IR observations and we provide a follow-up of the evolution
    of this source at such energies after the main polarization outburst.

Description:
    Results of the microvariability polarization observations of 3C 279
    carried out during 4 consecutive nights in March 2002 (starting on
    March 9). Data for each separated pointing are presented.
Objects:
    ----------------------------------------------------------
       RA   (2000)   DE      Designation(s)
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    12 56 11.2   -05 47 22   3C 279
    ----------------------------------------------------------

File Summary:

       FileName      Lrecl  Records   Explanations

ReadMe            80        .   This file
table2.dat        52      105   Results from polarization observations of 3C 279


Byte-by-byte Description of file: table2.dat

   Bytes Format Units   Label     Explanations

   1- 13  F13.5 d       JD        Julian Date
  16- 20  F5.2  %       Pv        Degree of polarization
  23- 26  F4.2  %       e_Pv      Error associated to Pv
  29- 33  F5.2  deg     Theta     Position angle
  34- 37  F4.1  deg     e_Theta   Error in the position angle
  40- 44  F5.2  %       U/I       Normalized Stokes parameter U
  47- 51  F5.2  %       Q/I       Normalized Stokes parameter Q


Acknowledgements: Ileana Andruchow 

(End)       Ileana Andruchow [IAR, Argentina], Patricia Bauer [CDS]  12-Sep-2003