1998A&A...340...47P

We present optical and ultraviolet observations of 3C 273 covering the whole life of the IUE satellite. We analyze the variability properties of the light curves, and find that two variable components, written B and R respectively, must contribute to the blue-bump emission in this object. The B component produces most of the variability in the ultraviolet domain. A maximum time scale of variability of about 2yr identical at all wavelengths is found. If discrete events produce this component, the event rate is ∼3-30yr^–1. Assuming an isotropic emission, each event must liberate about 10⁵¹erg in the form of optical-to-ultraviolet radiation. The spectral properties of the B component suggest that reprocessing on a truncated disk, or partially-thick bremsstrahlung may be the emission mechanism. We find evidence of a lag of a few days between the light curves of the B component at optical and ultraviolet wavelengths. An irradiated geometrically-thick accretion disk model satisfies all the constraints presented here. Neither the variability properties, nor the spectral properties of the R component can be accurately measured. This component varies on very long time scales, and may completely dominate the historical light curve of 3C 273 in the optical domain. Combining knowledge from other wavelengths, we obtain several indications that this component could reveal the ``blazar'' 3C 273. In particular, the light curve of this component is very similar to the hard X-ray light curve.