The connection between optical and VHE gamma-ray high states in the blazar jets

TL;DR

This study investigates the correlation between optical and very high energy gamma-ray flaring in blazars by analyzing optical light curves and MAGIC observations, aiming to determine if a direct connection exists.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of optical and VHE gamma-ray activity in blazars, exploring the potential link between these high-energy phenomena.

Findings

Discovery of three new VHE gamma-ray blazars

High optical states coincided with VHE detections in some cases

Analysis suggests a possible connection between optical and gamma-ray high states

Abstract

MAGIC has been performing optically triggered Target of Opportunity observations of flaring blazars since the beginning of its scientific operations. The alerts of flaring blazars originate from Tuorla blazar monitoring program, which started the optical monitoring of the candidate TeV blazars in 2002 and has now collected up to six years of data on 30 blazars. These Target of Opportunity observations have resulted in the discovery of three new VHE gamma-ray emitting blazars (Mrk180, 1ES1011+496 and S50716+714) and in addition the discoveries of BLLac and 3C279 were made during a high optical state. In this talk we present a detailed analysis of the optical light curves which are then compared to MAGIC observations of the same sources. We aim to answer the question "Is there a connection between optical and VHE gamma-ray high states in blazars or have we just been lucky?"