Optical and infrared photometry of the blazar PKS0537-441

TL;DR

This paper presents extensive optical and infrared photometry of the blazar PKS 0537-441 from 2004-2009, revealing multiple flares, a power-law spectral energy distribution, and short-term variability including a 25-minute event.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive multi-band photometric dataset of PKS 0537-441 over several years, highlighting flare activity and rapid variability, with no thermal component detected.

Findings

Multiple flare-like episodes with >3 mag amplitude.

Spectral energy distribution consistent with a power law.

Detection of a ~25-minute short-term variability event.

Abstract

We present a large collection of photometric data on the Blazar PKS 0537-441 in the VRIJHK bands taken in 2004-2009. At least three flare-like episodes with months duration, and >3 mag amplitude are apparent. The spectral energy distribution is consistent with a power law, and no indication of a thermal component is found. We searched for short time scale variability, and an interesting event was identified in the J band, with a duration of ~25 minutes.