Multi-band optical-NIR variability of blazars on diverse timescales
  To search for optical variability on a wide range of timescales, we have
carried out photometric monitoring of two flat spectrum radio quasars, 3C 454.3
and 3C 279, plus one BL Lac, S5 0716+714, all of which have been exhibiting
remarkably high activity and pronounced variability at all wavelengths. CCD
magnitudes in B, V, R and I pass-bands were determined for $\sim$ 7000 new
optical observations from 114 nights made during 2011 - 2014, with an average
length of $\sim$ 4 h each, at seven optical telescopes: four in Bulgaria, one
in Greece, and two in India. We measured multiband optical flux and colour
variations on diverse timescales. Discrete correlation functions were computed
among B, V, R, and I observations, to search for any time delays. We found weak
correlations in some cases with no significant time lags. The structure
function method was used to estimate any characteristic time-scales of
variability. We also investigated the spectral energy distribution of the three
blazars using B, V, R, I, J and K pass-band data. We found that the sources
almost always follows a bluer-when-brighter trend. We discuss possible physical
causes of the observed spectral variability.
