Abstract
We report on multiwavelength target-of-opportunity observations of the blazar PKS 0735+178, located 2.°2 away from the best-fit position of the IceCube neutrino event IceCube-211208A ...detected on 2021 December 8. The source was in a high-flux state in the optical, ultraviolet, X-ray, and GeV
γ
-ray bands around the time of the neutrino event, exhibiting daily variability in the soft X-ray flux. The X-ray data from Swift-XRT and NuSTAR characterize the transition between the low-energy and high-energy components of the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED), and the
γ
-ray data from Fermi-LAT, VERITAS, and H.E.S.S. require a spectral cutoff near 100 GeV. Both the X-ray and
γ
-ray measurements provide strong constraints on the leptonic and hadronic models. We analytically explore a synchrotron self-Compton model, an external Compton model, and a lepto-hadronic model. Models that are entirely based on internal photon fields face serious difficulties in matching the observed SED. The existence of an external photon field in the source would instead explain the observed
γ
-ray spectral cutoff in both the leptonic and lepto-hadronic models and allow a proton jet power that marginally agrees with the Eddington limit in the lepto-hadronic model. We show a numerical lepto-hadronic model with external target photons that reproduces the observed SED and is reasonably consistent with the neutrino event despite requiring a high jet power.
Abstract
Magnetic fields in galaxies and galaxy clusters are believed to be the result of the amplification of intergalactic seed fields during the formation of large-scale structures in the ...universe. However, the origin, strength, and morphology of this intergalactic magnetic field (IGMF) remain unknown. Lower limits on (or indirect detection of) the IGMF can be obtained from observations of high-energy gamma rays from distant blazars. Gamma rays interact with the extragalactic background light to produce electron−positron pairs, which can subsequently initiate electromagnetic cascades. The gamma-ray signature of the cascade depends on the IGMF since it deflects the pairs. Here we report on a new search for this cascade emission using a combined data set from the Fermi Large Area Telescope and the High Energy Stereoscopic System. Using state-of-the-art Monte Carlo predictions for the cascade signal, our results place a lower limit on the IGMF of
B
> 7.1 × 10
−16
G for a coherence length of 1 Mpc even when blazar duty cycles as short as 10 yr are assumed. This improves on previous lower limits by a factor of 2. For longer duty cycles of 10
4
(10
7
) yr, IGMF strengths below 1.8 × 10
−14
G (3.9 × 10
−14
G) are excluded, which rules out specific models for IGMF generation in the early universe.
Geminga is an enigmatic radio-quiet
γ
-ray pulsar located at a mere 250 pc distance from Earth. Extended very-high-energy
γ
-ray emission around the pulsar was discovered by Milagro and later ...confirmed by HAWC, which are both water Cherenkov detector-based experiments. However, evidence for the Geminga pulsar wind nebula in gamma rays has long evaded detection by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) despite targeted observations. The detection of
γ
-ray emission on angular scales ≳2º poses a considerable challenge for the background estimation in IACT data analysis. With recent developments in understanding the complementary background estimation techniques of water Cherenkov and atmospheric Cherenkov instruments, the H.E.S.S. IACT array can now confirm the detection of highly extended
γ
-ray emission around the Geminga pulsar with a radius of at least 3º in the energy range 0.5–40 TeV. We find no indications for statistically significant asymmetries or energy-dependent morphology. A flux normalisation of (2.8 ± 0.7) × 10
−12
cm
−2
s
−1
TeV
−1
at 1 TeV is obtained within a 1º radius region around the pulsar. To investigate the particle transport within the halo of energetic leptons around the pulsar, we fitted an electron diffusion model to the data. The normalisation of the diffusion coefficient obtained of
D
0
= 7.6
−1.2
+1.5
× 10
27
cm
2
s
−1
, at an electron energy of 100 TeV, is compatible with values previously reported for the pulsar halo around Geminga, which is considerably below the Galactic average.
SS 433 is a microquasar, a stellar binary system that launches collimated relativistic jets. We observed SS 433 in gamma rays using the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) and found an ...energy-dependent shift in the apparent position of the gamma-ray emission from the parsec-scale jets. These observations trace the energetic electron population and indicate that inverse Compton scattering is the emission mechanism of the gamma rays. Our modeling of the energy-dependent gamma-ray morphology constrains the location of particle acceleration and requires an abrupt deceleration of the jet flow. We infer the presence of shocks on either side of the binary system, at distances of 25 to 30 parsecs, and that self-collimation of the precessing jets forms the shocks, which then efficiently accelerate electrons.
Context.
HESS J1809−193 is an unassociated very-high-energy
γ
-ray source located on the Galactic plane. While it has been connected to the nebula of the energetic pulsar PSR J1809−1917, supernova ...remnants and molecular clouds present in the vicinity also constitute possible associations. Recently, the detection of
γ
-ray emission up to energies of ∼100 TeV with the HAWC observatory has led to renewed interest in HESS J1809−193.
Aims.
We aim to understand the origin of the
γ
-ray emission of HESS J1809−193.
Methods.
We analysed 93.2 h of data taken on HESS J1809−193 above 0.27 TeV with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.), using a multi-component, three-dimensional likelihood analysis. In addition, we provide a new analysis of 12.5 yr of
Fermi
-LAT data above 1 GeV within the region of HESS J1809−193. The obtained results are interpreted in a time-dependent modelling framework.
Results.
For the first time, we were able to resolve the emission detected with H.E.S.S. into two components: an extended component (modelled as an elongated Gaussian with a 1-
σ
semi-major and semi-minor axis of ∼0.62° and ∼0.35°, respectively) that exhibits a spectral cutoff at ∼13 TeV, and a compact component (modelled as a symmetric Gaussian with a 1-
σ
radius of ∼0.1°) that is located close to PSR J1809−1917 and shows no clear spectral cutoff. The
Fermi
-LAT analysis also revealed extended
γ
-ray emission, on scales similar to that of the extended H.E.S.S. component.
Conclusions.
Our modelling indicates that based on its spectrum and spatial extent, the extended H.E.S.S. component is likely caused by inverse Compton emission from old electrons that form a halo around the pulsar wind nebula. The compact component could be connected to either the pulsar wind nebula or the supernova remnant and molecular clouds. Due to its comparatively steep spectrum, modelling the
Fermi
-LAT emission together with the H.E.S.S. components is not straightforward.
The radio galaxy M 87 is a variable very-high energy (VHE) gamma-ray source, exhibiting three major flares, which were reported in 2005, 2008, and 2010. Despite extensive studies, the origin of the ...VHE gamma-ray emission is not yet fully understood. In this study, we investigate the VHE gamma-ray spectrum of M 87 during states of high gamma-ray activity, utilizing 20.2 h of H.E.S.S. observations. Our findings indicate a preference for a curved spectrum, characterized by a log-parabola model with extra-galactic background light (EBL) model above 0.3 TeV at the 4 σ level, compared to a power-law spectrum with EBL. We investigate the degeneracy between the absorption feature and the EBL normalization and derive upper limits on EBL models that are mainly sensitive in the wavelength range of 12.4 μm–40 μm.
The Crab Nebula is a unique laboratory for studying the acceleration of electrons and positrons through their non-thermal radiation. Observations of very-high-energy γ rays from the Crab Nebula have ...provided important constraints for modelling its broadband emission. We present the first fully self-consistent analysis of the Crab Nebula’s γ -ray emission between 1 GeV and ∼100 TeV, that is, over five orders of magnitude in energy. Using the open-source software package G AMMAPY , we combined 11.4 yr of data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope and 80 h of High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) data at the event level and provide a measurement of the spatial extension of the nebula and its energy spectrum. We find evidence for a shrinking of the nebula with increasing γ -ray energy. Furthermore, we fitted several phenomenological models to the measured data, finding that none of them can fully describe the spatial extension and the spectral energy distribution at the same time. Especially the extension measured at TeV energies appears too large when compared to the X-ray emission. Our measurements probe the structure of the magnetic field between the pulsar wind termination shock and the dust torus, and we conclude that the magnetic field strength decreases with increasing distance from the pulsar. We complement our study with a careful assessment of systematic uncertainties.
Context . HESS J1813–178 is a very-high-energy γ -ray source spatially coincident with the young and energetic pulsar PSR J1813–1749 and thought to be associated with its pulsar wind nebula (PWN). ...Recently, evidence for extended high-energy emission in the vicinity of the pulsar has been revealed in the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) data. This motivates revisiting the HESS J1813–178 region, taking advantage of improved analysis methods and an extended dataset. Aims . Using data taken by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) experiment and the Fermi -LAT, we aim to describe the γ -ray emission in the region with a consistent model, to provide insights into its origin. Methods . We performed a likelihood-based analysis on 32 hours of H.E.S.S. data and 12 yr of Fermi -LAT data and we fitted a spectro-morphological model to the combined datasets. These results allowed us to develop a physical model for the origin of the observed γ -ray emission in the region. Results . In addition to the compact very-high-energy γ -ray emission centred on the pulsar, we find a significant yet previously undetected component along the Galactic plane. With Fermi -LAT data, we confirm extended high-energy emission consistent with the position and elongation of the extended emission observed with H.E.S.S. These results establish a consistent description of the emission in the region from GeV energies to several tens of TeV. Conclusions . This study suggests that HESS J1813–178 is associated with a γ -ray PWN powered by PSR J1813–1749. A possible origin of the extended emission component is inverse Compton emission from electrons and positrons that have escaped the confines of the pulsar and form a halo around the PWN.
Abstract
GRB 221009A is the brightest gamma-ray burst (GRB) ever detected. To probe the very-high-energy (VHE; >100 GeV) emission, the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) began observations 53 ...hr after the triggering event, when the brightness of the moonlight no longer precluded observations. We derive differential and integral upper limits using H.E.S.S. data from the third, fourth, and ninth nights after the initial GRB detection, after applying atmospheric corrections. The combined observations yield an integral energy flux upper limit of
Φ
UL
95
%
=
9.7
×
10
−
12
erg
cm
−
2
s
−
1
above
E
thr
= 650 GeV. The constraints derived from the H.E.S.S. observations complement the available multiwavelength data. The radio to X-ray data are consistent with synchrotron emission from a single electron population, with the peak in the spectral energy distribution occurring above the X-ray band. Compared to the VHE-bright GRB 190829A, the upper limits for GRB 221009A imply a smaller gamma-ray to X-ray flux ratio in the afterglow. Even in the absence of a detection, the H.E.S.S. upper limits thus contribute to the multiwavelength picture of GRB 221009A, effectively ruling out an IC-dominated scenario.
Most γ -ray detected active galactic nuclei are blazars with one of their relativistic jets pointing towards the Earth. Only a few objects belong to the class of radio galaxies or misaligned blazars. ...Here, we investigate the nature of the object PKS 0625−354, its γ -ray flux and spectral variability and its broad-band spectral emission with observations from H.E.S.S., Fermi -LAT, Swift -XRT, and UVOT taken in November 2018. The H.E.S.S. light curve above 200 GeV shows an outburst in the first night of observations followed by a declining flux with a halving time scale of 5.9 h. The γγ -opacity constrains the upper limit of the angle between the jet and the line of sight to ∼10°. The broad-band spectral energy distribution shows two humps and can be well fitted with a single-zone synchrotron self Compton emission model. We conclude that PKS 0625−354, as an object showing clear features of both blazars and radio galaxies, can be classified as an intermediate active galactic nuclei. Multi-wavelength studies of such intermediate objects exhibiting features of both blazars and radio galaxies are sparse but crucial for the understanding of the broad-band emission of γ -ray detected active galactic nuclei in general.
