Optical polarimetry of BL Lacertae objects and violent variable quasars

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.

Перевод пока недоступен