The extreme optical variability of J0948+0022

Abstract

We report on observations of the optical variability of the radio-loud, narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxy J0948+0022 on timescales ranging from minutes to years. Implications regarding recent suggestions that the object may constitute a prototype for an emerging class of blazar-like objects similar to FSRQs are discussed. The optical microvariability observed for J0948+0022 is found to be similar to that found for a typical low energy peaked BL Lac object. Based on observations of J0948+0022 in a flaring state and a significantly lower state, one can demonstrate that these rapid variations most likely originate in the relativistic jet and not in the accretion disk. © 2013. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.