Time delay between images of the lensed quasar UM673

We study brightness variations in the double lensed quasar UM673 (Q0142-100) with the aim of measuring the time delay between its two images. In the paper we combine our previously published observational data of UM673 obtained during the 2003 - 2005 seasons at the Maidanak Observatory with archival and recently observed Maidanak and CTIO UM673 data. We analyze the V, R and I-band light curves of the A and B images of UM673, which cover ten observational seasons from August 2001 to November 2010. We also analyze the time evolution of the difference in magnitudes between images A and B of UM673 over more than ten years. We find that the quasar exhibits both short-term (with amplitude of \sim 0.1 mag in the R band) and high-amplitude (\sim 0.3 mag) long-term variability on timescales of about several months and several years, respectively. These brightness variations are used to constrain the time delay between the images of UM673. From cross-correlation analysis of the A and B quasar light curves and error analysis we measure the mean time delay and its error of 89 \pm11 days. Given the input time delay of 88 days, the most probable value of the delay that can be recovered from light curves with the same statistical properties as the observed R-band light curves of UM673 is 95{+5/-16}{+14/-29} days (68 and 95 % confidence intervals). Analysis of the V - I color variations and V, R and I-band magnitude differences of the quasar images does not show clear evidence of the microlensing variations between 1998 and 2010.Comment: Submitted to A&A, 11 pages, 9 figure

New two-colour light curves of Q0957+561: time delays and the origin of intrinsic variations

We extend the gr-band time coverage of the gravitationally lensed double quasar Q0957+561. New gr light curves permit us to detect significant intrinsic fluctuations, to determine new time delays, and thus to gain perspective on the mechanism of intrinsic variability in Q0957+561. We use new optical frames of Q0957+561 in the g and r passbands from January 2005 to July 2007. These frames are part of an ongoing long-term monitoring with the Liverpool robotic telescope. We also introduce two photometric pipelines that are applied to the new gr frames of Q0957+561. The transformation pipeline incorporates zero-point, colour, and inhomogeneity corrections to the instrumental magnitudes, so final photometry to the 1-2% level is achieved for both quasar components. The two-colour final records are then used to measure time delays. The gr light curves of Q0957+561 show several prominent events and gradients, and some of them (in the g band) lead to a time delay between components of 417 +/- 2 d (1 sigma). We do not find evidence of extrinsic variability in the light curves of Q0957+561. We also explore the possibility of a delay between a large event in the g band and the corresponding event in the r band. The gr cross-correlation reveals a time lag of 4.0 +/- 2.0 d (1 sigma; the g-band event is leading) that confirms a previous claim of the existence of a delay between the g and r band in this lensed quasar. The time delays (between quasar components and between optical bands) from the new records and previous ones in similar bands indicate that most observed variations in Q0957+561 (amplitudes of about 100 mmag and timescales of about 100 d) are very probably due to reverberation within the gas disc around the supermassive black hole.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

The tools of a stock market: conception and classification

This article is devoted to different types of financial tools used in a stock market of Russia. Also in this article there is adescriptionof a new financial tool such as structured products. Special attention is paid to classification of structured products

"Staginess" of A. Blok's Lyric Poetry of 1900-1910 as a Special Form of "Theatricality"

В статье проводится анализ лирических стихотворений А. Блока 1900-1910 годов в интермедиальном аспекте. Рассматривается недостаточно изученный вариант "театральности" его поэзии, репрезентируемый в особой "сценичности".The author analyzes the intermedial aspect of the lyric poems of Alexander Blok of 1900-1910. The study explores the underinvestigated version of “theatricality” of his poetry, which is represented by its specific “staginess”. The author argues that the introduction of the theatrical code into Blok's poetry takes place in the wake of the general symbolic striving to overcome individualism through the aesthetic “collegiality” of the theater. A peculiar cult of drama and theater is formed in the creative consciousness of Blok, influencing the poetics of his lyrics in many ways

Design and Experience of Project Activities

Для формирования профессиональных компетенций студентов-дизайнеров необходим реальный опыт дизайн-проектирования. Участие в межвузовском конкурсе по обустройству городской среды стало отличной практикой для развития коммуникативных и проектных навыков у студентов. Актуальность проблематики конкурса и организация нескольких его этапов, включающих проектирование, погружение в реальную проектную ситуацию, клаузуру, презентацию и защиту проектов командами различных вузов, позволили приобрести новые умения и оценить свой уровень подготовки.For the formation of professional competencies of students, need real experience of design. Participation in the intercollegiate competition on the arrangement of the urban environment has become an excellent practice for the development of students’ communication and design skills. The relevance of the competition and the organization of several stages, including design, immersion in a real design situation, the clause, presentation and protection of projects by teams of various universities, allowed acquiring new skills and assessing their level of training