Simultaneous Multiwavelength and Optical Microvariability Observations of CTA 102 (PKS J2232+1143)

TL;DR

This study analyzes CTA 102's multiwavelength variability, revealing uncorrelated activity across bands and suggesting multiple emission processes, with microvariability more intense during high optical flux states.

Contribution

First comprehensive simultaneous multiwavelength and microvariability observations of CTA 102, highlighting uncorrelated variability and potential emission mechanisms.

Findings

X-ray, optical, and radio activities are uncorrelated.

Microvariability is more rapid during high optical states.

Spectral energy distribution indicates multiple emission processes.

Abstract

We present analysis of both the short-term optical and long-term multiwavelength variability of CTA 102. In 2004, this object was observed in an intense optical flaring state. Extensive R-band microvariability observations were carried out during this high state. In 2005, we obtained several weeks of contemporaneous radio, optical, and X-ray observations of CTA 102. These observations recorded distinct flaring activity in all three wavebands. Subsequent analysis revealed that this object may appear redder when in a brighter optical state, and that the X-ray, optical, and radio activity do not appear to be correlated. The shape of the observed spectral energy distributions suggests that both synchrotron-related and external inverse Compton processes may contribute to the X-ray emission. Our results are also compared with other results on this object and archival microvariability observations. It appears that more rapid, dramatic microvariability events occur when CTA 102 is in an elevated optical flux state.