The Outburst of the Blazar S5 0716+71 in 2011 October: Shock in a Helical Jet
V.M.Larionov (1,3), S.G.Jorstad (1,2), A.P.Marscher (2), D.A.Morozova, (1), D.A.Blinov (1), V.A.Hagen-Thorn (1,3), T.S.Konstantinova (1),, E.N.Kopatskaya (1), L.V.Larionova (1), E.G.Larionova (1), I.S.Troitsky (1)
TL;DR
This study combines optical, polarimetric, VLBA imaging, and gamma-ray data to analyze a 2011 outburst of blazar S5 0716+714, revealing a shock in a helical jet causing correlated multi-band variability.
Contribution
It provides the first detailed multi-wavelength analysis linking polarization rotation, superluminal motion, and jet structure during an outburst.
Findings
Monotonic polarization rotation >50° per night during outburst
Appearance of a superluminal knot moving at ~21c
Multi-frequency behavior explained by a shock in a helical jet
Abstract
We present the results of optical (R band) photometric and polarimetric monitoring and Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) imaging of the blazar S5 0716+714 along with Fermi gamma-ray data during a multi-waveband outburst in 2011 October. We analyze total and polarized intensity images of the blazar obtained with the VLBA at 43 GHz during and after the outburst. Monotonic rotation of the linear polarization vector at a rate of >50 degrees per night coincided with a sharp maximum in gamma-ray and optical flux. At the same time, within the uncertainties, a new superluminal knot appeared, with an apparent speed of ~21c. The general multi-frequency behavior of the outburst can be explained within the framework of a shock wave propagating along a helical path in the blazar's jet.
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