Abstract.Using an optimal image subtraction technique, we have derived the V and R light curves of the four lensed QSO components of Q2237+0305 from the monitoring CCD frames obtained by the GLITP collaboration with the 2.6 m NOT telescope in 1999/2000 . We give here a detailed account of the data reduction and analysis and of the error estimates. In agreement with Woźniak et al. (2000a,b), the good derived photometric accuracy of the GLITP data allows to discuss the possible interpretation of the light curve of component A as due to a microlensing event taking place in the deflecting galaxy. This interpretation is strengthened by the colour dependence of the early rise of the light curve of component A, as it probably corresponds to a caustics crossing by the QSO source.
Abstract. Burbidge et al. (1997) argue that the observed number of quasar pairs with small angular separations and different redshifts (typically ∆θ ≤ 5 and ∆z > 0.1) is not compatible with a random distribution of quasars over the sky. After a brief review of all known quasar pairs with different redshifts, we show by means of very simple calculations that the probability of finding the three accepted pairs accidentally is of the order of 10%. We conclude that, under realistic hypotheses, the observed number of quasar pairs with different redshifts is not unlikely. We also present arguments showing that gravitational lensing biases are probably not strong enough to significantly increase the expected number of quasar pairs. The failure to detect with HST a secondary lensed image of the background quasar near the foreground one in these three pairs supports this view.
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