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.