Charge coupled devices (CCD) photometry and long-term optical variability of gamma-ray-loud BL Lacertae object Mkn 421

Evidence for the long-term optical curve variability and colour behaviour of the BL Lac object Mkn 421 is presented. Our results show that the amplitude of the optical variations of Mkn 421 is only about \Delta B=4.7 magnitude in the B-band for its photometric history from 1899 to 2002. The results of optical photometric monitoring of the Mkn 421 from April 2000 to Jan 2002 are provided. During our observation, Mkn 421 shows significant rapid variations and exhibits short time variability of 2.42 hours in the B band. A strong correlation between the B-V colour index and the magnitude in the B band is found. Our charge coupled device (CCD) photometry of Mkn 421 shows that the measured results are in good agreement with the predicted optical variability period of about 23 years.