Fast Infrared Sub-Flares From GRS 1915+105

Abstract

We report the discovery of fast (~ 100 sec) 2.2 micron flares from the microquasar GRS 1915+105, which are superimposed on longer (~ 30 min), brighter flares corresponding to episodes of jet formation. The number and strength of the sub-flares in each bright flare varies, and does not seem to correlate in any obvious way with the underlying light curve or with changes in the X-ray emission. However, the fact that these sub-flares only occur in tandem with the larger flares indicates that they might be related to the jet ejection process.