Multifrequency Monitoring of the Blazar PKS 2005-489

Abstract

We present a multifrequency monitoring campaign of PKS 2005–489, a bright and highly variable blazar. Simultaneous observations were completed over a 13 day period in the X-ray with RXTE, in the optical at the CTIO 0.9 m telescope, at TeV energies with CANGAROO-II, and at submillimetre wavelengths with SEST. Previous multiwavelength monitoring campaigns of PKS 2005–489 and other blazars have found complex flux and spectral variability behaviour, with different modes and timescales from days to hours and shorter.

PKS 2005–489 was observed in transition from a quiescent state into the early stages of a flare. A gradual increase in flux density was observed at optical and X-ray wavelengths during 19–27 August 2000, and a dramatic increase in X-ray emission was observed starting on 2 September 2000. Intraday and spectral variability were not detected during the campaign.