Double Peaked Outbursts Of The Blazar Oj 287 In 1994 - 1996

Abstract

VRI bands CCD photometric observations of the BL Lac object OJ 287 have been carried out during the period from October, 1994 to May, 1996. OJ 287 underwent two major outbursts during our observations. The first peak (V 14.0 mag.) occurred in the first half of November, 1994 and faded out to 16.5 mag within 150 days. The second peak (14.0 mag.) was observed in late December, 1995. The latter peak continued at nearly the same brightness until May, 1996. Such a long lasting outburst has never been reported for OJ 287. Color indices (V -- R and V --I) remained nearly constant during the outbursts. Key Words : BL Lac objects -- CCD Photometry -- OJ287 I. INTRODUCTION The BL Lac object OJ 287 has attracted attentions of many astronomers working in the field of active galactic nuclei (AGN) and it has been the subject of intensive observational studies in all wavelength regions for more than two decades. The long term photometric behaviour of OJ 287 is of special interest because it is the..