Longterm X-ray observations of blazars with MAXI

AbstractLongterm continuous X-ray observations of blazars with MAXI are reported. Thanks to its unprecedentedly high sensitivity as an all sky X-ray monitor, MAXI is an ideal observatory to investigate variability of blazars, which should give a clue to particle acceleration in their jet, as well as the jet dynamics. Actually, since it started its operation in the summer of 2009, MAXI has successfully alerted two strong X-ray flares from the BL Lac object Mrk 421. Especially, in one of these flares, the X-ray flux of the object was found to become the highest in history. By closely examining the MAXI data, the physical quantities associated with the flares were estimated. These results clearly demonstrate the potential of MAXI for the variability of blazars.