The characteristic periodicity analysis of the radio flux variability of quasar PKS 1510-089

A wavelet analysis method is introduced to study the possible periods of PKS 1510-089 in radio bands. By compiling the radio light curve of PKS 1510-089 at frequencies of 22 and 37 GHz from 1990 to 2005, and using the wavelet analysis method, the evidence of quasi-periodic activity in PKS 1510-089 was obtained. The results indicate that: (1) There are two stable outburst periods of T ₁=(1.80±0.06) yr and T ₂= (0.90±0.07) yr presenting in the isoplethal map of PKS 1510-089 at the radio band 37 GHz; (2) there is an outburst period of T ₁=(1.80±0.06) yr presenting at the radio band 22 GHz; (3) by the continuum of the isograms map, we find the primary period of PKS 1510-089 is T ₁=(1.80±0.06) yr, and the period of T ₂= (0.90±0.07) yr may be the half period. The above results are consistent with the reports of Xie et al. (2004, 2005, 2008), Wu et al. (2005) and Liu & Fan (2007), using the other methods. We can expect that the next burst will be in January 2011. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 10821061, 10763002, and 10663002), the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2007CB815103), and the Natural Science Foundation of Yunnan Province (Grant No. 2008CC011)