Spitzer Observations of the Predicted Eddington Flare from Blazar OJ 287

Understand

Binary black hole (BH) central engine description for the unique blazar OJ 287 predicted that the next secondary BH impact-induced bremsstrahlung flare should peak on 2019 July 31.

• This prediction was based on detailed general relativistic modeling of the secondary BH trajectory around the primary BH and its accretion disk.
• The expected flare was termed the Eddington flare to commemorate the centennial celebrations of now-famous solar eclipse observations to test general relativity by Sir Arthur Eddington.
• We analyze the multi-epoch Spitzer observations of the expected flare between 2019 July 31 and 2019 September 6, as well as baseline observations during 2019 February-March.