Title: Blazars in outburst


Proposal ID: 0120058
Subject category: Extragalactic Object
Principal investigator: Pian
Institute: Osservatorio Astronomico di Trieste


Abstract

We ask for 3 blocks of 300 ks each to observe in target-of-opportunity (TOO) mode up to 3 blazars, conditional to stringent and well defined triggering criteria based on optical and/or X-ray brightening. Serendipitous INTEGRAL detections of bright blazars (~20 mCrab) will also be instrumental to TOO activation. INTEGRAL IBIS observations will cover a crucial energy range for determining the overall spectra distribution of blazars in flaring state, and thus for constraining any emission model, as proved by the success of a similar program conducted in past years with BeppoSAX.