AGN astrophysics via multi-frequency monitoring of gamma-ray blazars in the Fermi-GST era

TL;DR

This paper discusses the F-GAMMA project, a multi-frequency observational effort involving several telescopes to study blazars and AGN phenomena in coordination with the Fermi-GST satellite since 2007.

Contribution

It presents a comprehensive multi-frequency monitoring program of blazars using multiple observatories, providing valuable data for understanding AGN and blazar variability in the Fermi era.

Findings

Monthly spectra monitoring of 60 blazars across 2.6-270 GHz.

Dense weekly sampling of 1200 objects at 15 GHz.

Calibration uncertainties are within a few percent.

Abstract

The F-GAMMA-project is the coordinated effort of several observatories to understand the AGN phenomenon and specifically blazars via multi-frequency monitoring in collaboration with the {\sl Fermi}-GST satellite since January 2007. The core observatories are: the Effelsberg 100-m, the IRAM 30-m and the OVRO 40-m telescope covering the range between 2.6 and 270 GHz. Effelsberg and IRAM stations do a monthly monitoring of the cm to sub-mm radio spectra of 60 selected blazars whereas the OVRO telescope is observing roughly 1200 objects at 15 GHz with a dense sampling of 2 points per week. The calibration uncertainty even at high frequencies, is of a few percent. 47% of the Effelsberg/Pico Veleta sample is included in the LBAS list. An update of the monitored sample is currently underway.