Multiwavelength Observations of 3C 66A during the WEBT campaign of 2003 - 2004

Abstract

The BL Lac object 3C 66A was the target of an extensive multiwavelength monitoring campaign from July 2003 through April 2004, involving observations throughout the electromagnetic spectrum. Radio, infrared, and optical observations were carried out by the WEBT-ENIGMA collaboration. At higher energies, 3C 66A was observed in X-rays (RXTE), and at very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-rays (STACEE, VERITAS). In addition, the source has been observed with the VLBA at 9 epochs throughout the period September 2003 - December 2004, including 3 epochs contemporaneous with the core campaign.The WEBT campaign revealed microvariability with flux changes of ~ 5 % on time scales as short as \~ 2 hr. The source was in a relatively bright state, with several bright flares on time scales of several days. The SED indicates a $νF_ν$ peak in the optical regime. A weak trend of optical spectral hysteresis with a trend of spectral softening throughout both the rising and decaying phases, has been found. The 3 - 10 keV X-ray flux of 3C 66A during the core campaign was historically high and its spectrum very soft, indicating that the low-frequency component of the broadband SED extends beyond ~ 10 keV. No significant X-ray flux and/or spectral variability was detected. STACEE and Whipple observations provided upper flux limits at > 150 GeV and > 390 GeV, respectively. The 22 and 43 GHz data from the 3 VLBA epochs between September 2003 and January 2004 indicate a smooth jet with only moderate internal structure. Evidence for superluminal motion (8.5 +/- 5.6 h^{-1} c) was found in only one out of 6 components. The radial radio brightness profile suggests a magnetic field decay $\propto r^{-1}$ and, thus, a predominantly perpendicular magnetic field.