2016MNRAS.460.1790G

A comprehensive temporal analysis has been performed on optical light curves of BL Lacertae in the B, V and R bands. The light curves were denoised by Gaussian smoothing and decomposed into individual flares using an exponential profile. The asymmetry, duration, peak flux and equivalent energy output of flares were measured and the frequency distributions presented. Most optical flares of BL Lacertae are highly symmetric, with a weak tendency towards gradual rises and rapid decays. The distribution of flare durations is not random, but consistent with a gamma distribution. Peak fluxes and energy outputs of flares all follow a log-normal distribution. A positive correlation is detected between flare durations and peak fluxes. The temporal properties of BL Lacertae provide evidence of the stochastic magnetohydrodynamic process in the accretion disc and jet.The results presented here can serve as constraints on physical models attempting to interpret blazar variations.