Optical polarization of OJ 287 in 2005-2009

The chaotic jet emission sometimes exhibits a circular movement in the Stokes plane. We find six such events, all on the timescales of 10-20days. We interpret these events as a shock front moving forwards and backwards in the jet, swiping through a helical magnetic field.

Secondly, we use our data to assess different binary black hole models proposed to explain the regularly appearing double-peaked bursts in OJ287. We compose a list of requirements a model has to fulfil to explain the mysterious behaviour observed in OJ287. The list includes not only characteristics of the light-curve but also other properties of OJ287, such as the black hole mass and restrictions on accretion flow properties.

We rate all existing models using this list and conclude that none of the models is able to explain all observations. We discuss possible new explanations and propose a new approach to understanding OJ287. We suggest that both the double-peaked bursts and the evolution of the optical polarization position angle could be explained as a sign of resonant accretion of magnetic field lines, a 'magnetic breathing' of the disc.