Abstract:
We present the results of optical differential photometry of five blazars [PKS 0219+428(3C66A), PKS 0235+164(AO 0235+16), H0414+019, PKS 0851+202(OJ 287), and QSO 1807+698(3C371)] that were observed on 7 nights between November 05, 1997 and December 29, 1998, using the B and V band filters. We have detected microvariations in four blazars (3C66A, AO 0235+16, H0414+019, and OJ 287). In addition, the light curve of AO 0235+16 has displayed a mini-flare when the brightness of this source was decreasing. Night-to-night variations have also been detected in 3C66A, H0414+019, and OJ 287. The results of our observations are discussed in the framework of accretion disk phenomena(magnetic flares or hot spots in accretion disks) and jet phenomena(plasma instabilities in jets).
