Initial light curve of Q2237 + 0305

Abstract

We present CCD photometry for the gravitationally lensed quasar system 2237+0305, in optical passbands from B through R, taken over a time period of more than 3 yr. These data provide new information about the probable microlensing event reported in Irwin et al. [AJ, 98, 1989 (1989)]; the rise time of this feature is approximately 26 days. Four additional independent brightness changes in the quasar images are detected.