BL Lac object S5 0716+714 is a well-studied object. In this paper, the available optical (BVRI) data of this source are compiled, and the B-, V-, R-and I-band light curves are constructed. Each of them is analyzed by means of the discrete correlation function (DCF) method, the structure function (SF) method and the z-transformed discrete correlation function (ZDCF) method. The results imply that there is a possible periodic variation of 1211 days in each passband light curve. The source varies violently and complicatedly, and exhibits a brightening trend in the light curves.BL Lacertae objects, S5 0716+714, optical behavior PACS: 98.54.Cm, 95.85.Kr, 95.75.Wx
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.