{
  "abstract": "We investigate variability on two distinct timescales in PG 1302−102 using optical and mid-infrared light curves extending through 2024. (1) The long-term optical variability has previously been interpreted as possible evidence for a subparsec binary supermassive black hole. The pre-2015 optical light curve exhibits a prominent periodogram peak near 5 yr, whereas the dominant feature shifts toward approximately 7 yr and becomes broader when observations through 2024 are included. This evolution is compatible with correlated stochastic variability and weakens the interpretation of the signal as a stable binary-orbital clock. The infrared variations lag the optical emission by 77 6 − 59 + 40 days in W1 and 90 9 − 91 + 62 days in W2. The corresponding rest-frame dust reverberation radii are approximately 0.51 and 0.60 pc, respectively. Taking into account the longer rest-frame wavelengths probed by W1 and W2 relative to the K -band measurements commonly used in previous reverberation studies, the inferred radii are consistent with the general dust size–luminosity trend of Type 1 active galactic nuclei. (2) The Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer light curves also reveal a coherent intraday infrared brightening during the visit centered at MJD 59224. The baseline-subtracted variable flux has a color similar to that of the local baseline emission, while the rapid variability indicates a compact and distinct short-timescale mode of infrared variability in PG 1302−102.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Chinese Academy of Sciences",
    "University of Science and Technology of China",
    "Polar Research Institute of China",
    "University of Chinese Academy of Sciences"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 8,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhenzhen Li",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-8237-0237"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Hongyan Zhou"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Bo Liu"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Chenwei Yang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Jingbo Sun"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Liang Chen",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-1908-0536"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        3
      ],
      "name": "Yifei Xiong",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-0055-7277"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Lei Hao"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/291qefpqnmar8.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3847/1538-4357/ae9e2a",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "291qefpqnmar8",
  "issns": [
    "0004-637X",
    "1538-4357"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae9e2a",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "3103|Astrophysical Phenomena and Observations"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7221567877",
  "pdf_url": "https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae9e2a/pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-12",
  "publisher": "American Astronomical Society",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/291qefpqnmar8.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:11Z",
      "native_id": "10.3847/1538-4357/ae9e2a",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-4357/ae9e2a"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "astronomy",
      "origin": "journal-openalex:3103|Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies",
      "subfield": "stellar"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Dual-timescale Infrared Variability in PG 1302−102: Dust Echo and Rapid Infrared Brightening",
  "title_text": "Dual-timescale Infrared Variability in PG 1302−102: Dust Echo and Rapid Infrared Brightening",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:11Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/291qefpqnmar8",
  "venue": "The Astrophysical Journal",
  "versions": []
}