Liverpool-Maidanak monitoring of the Einstein Cross in 2006–2019: I. Light curves in the g V r R I optical bands and microlensing signatures

Quasar microlensing offers a unique opportunity to resolve tiny sources in distant active galactic nuclei and study compact object populations in lensing galaxies. We therefore searched for microlensing-induced variability of the gravitationally lensed quasar QSO 2237+0305 (Einstein Cross) using 4374 optical frames taken with the 2.0 m Liverpool Telescope and the 1.5 m Maidanak Telescope. These g V r R I frames over the 2006–2019 period were homogeneously processed to generate accurate long-term multi-band light curves of the four quasar images A–D. Through difference light curves, we found strong microlensing signatures. We then focused on the analytical modelling of two putative caustic-crossing events in image C, finding compelling evidence that this image experienced a double caustic crossing. Additionally, our overall results indicate that a standard accretion disc accounts reasonably well for the brightness profile of UV continuum emission sources and for the growth in source radius when the emission wavelength increases: R λ ∝ λ α , α = 1.33 ± 0.09. However, we caution that numerical microlensing simulations are required before firm conclusions can be reached on the UV emission scenario because the V R I -band monitoring during the first caustic crossing and one of our two α indicators lead to a few good solutions with α ≈ 1.