Search for Short Variability Timescale of the GeV Gamma‐Ray–Loud Blazars

Abstract

In this paper we report a brief description of 13 γ-ray-loud blazars as the second batch of the results of our blazar monitoring program. Six of the monitored objects show significant rapid variations. We found the typical minimum variability timescale to be about 1 hr. We have analyzed the relationships between optical variability and γ-ray variability and found that during 1995-1996 the TeV γ-ray emission of Mrk 501 correlated to its optical emission, based on our monitoring data in the optical band. This result will provide a strong constraint to the emission models.