VERITAS discovery of very high energy gamma-ray emission from S3 1227+25 and multiwavelength observations

Atreya Acharyya; Colin Adams; Avery Archer; Priyadarshini Bangale; Wystan Benbow; Aryeh Brill; Jodi Christiansen; Alisha Chromey; Manel Errando; Abe Falcone; Qi Feng; John Finley; Gregory Foote; Lucy Fortson; Amy Furniss; Greg Gallagher; William Hanlon; David Hanna; Olivier Hervet; Claire Hinrichs; John Hoang; Jamie Holder; Weidong Jin; Madalyn Johnson; Philip Kaaret; Mary P. Kertzman; David Kieda; Tobias Kleiner; Nikolas Korzoun; Frank Krennrich; Mark Lang; Matthew Lundy; Gernot Maier; Conor McGrath; Matthew Millard; John Millis; Connor Mooney; Patrick Moriarty; Reshmi Mukherjee; Stephan O'Brien; Rene A. Ong; Martin Pohl; Elisa Pueschel; John Quinn; Kenneth J. Ragan; Paul Reynolds; Deivid Ribeiro; Emmet Thomas Roache; Iftach Sadeh; Alberto Sadun; Lab Saha; Marcos Santander; Glenn Sembroski; Ruo Shang; Megan Splettstoesser; Anjana Talluri; James Tucci; Vladimir Vassiliev; David Williams; Sam Wong; Talvikki Hovatta; Svetlana Jorstad; Sebastian Kiehlmann; Anne Lahteenmaki; Ioannis Liodakis; Alan Marscher; Walter Max-Moerbeck; Anthony Readhead; Rodrigo Reeves; Paul S Smith; Merja Tornikoski

VERITAS discovery of very high energy gamma-ray emission from S3 1227+25 and multiwavelength observations

Authors: Atreya Acharyya (VERITAS Collaboration), Colin Adams (VERITAS Collaboration), Avery Archer (VERITAS Collaboration), Priyadarshini Bangale (VERITAS Collaboration), Wystan Benbow (VERITAS Collaboration), Aryeh Brill (VERITAS Collaboration), Jodi Christiansen (VERITAS Collaboration), Alisha Chromey (VERITAS Collaboration), Manel Errando (VERITAS Collaboration), Abe Falcone (VERITAS Collaboration), Qi Feng (VERITAS Collaboration), John Finley (VERITAS Collaboration), Gregory Foote (VERITAS Collaboration), Lucy Fortson (VERITAS Collaboration), Amy Furniss (VERITAS Collaboration), Greg Gallagher (VERITAS Collaboration), William Hanlon (VERITAS Collaboration), David Hanna (VERITAS Collaboration), Olivier Hervet (VERITAS Collaboration), Claire Hinrichs (VERITAS Collaboration), John Hoang (VERITAS Collaboration), Jamie Holder (VERITAS Collaboration), Weidong Jin (VERITAS Collaboration), Madalyn Johnson (VERITAS Collaboration), Philip Kaaret (VERITAS Collaboration), Mary P. Kertzman (VERITAS Collaboration), David Kieda (VERITAS Collaboration), Tobias Kleiner (VERITAS Collaboration), Nikolas Korzoun (VERITAS Collaboration), Frank Krennrich (VERITAS Collaboration), Mark Lang (VERITAS Collaboration), Matthew Lundy (VERITAS Collaboration), Gernot Maier (VERITAS Collaboration), Conor McGrath (VERITAS Collaboration), Matthew Millard (VERITAS Collaboration), John Millis (VERITAS Collaboration), Connor Mooney (VERITAS Collaboration), Patrick Moriarty (VERITAS Collaboration), Reshmi Mukherjee (VERITAS Collaboration), Stephan O'Brien (VERITAS Collaboration), Rene A. Ong (VERITAS Collaboration), Martin Pohl (VERITAS Collaboration), Elisa Pueschel (VERITAS Collaboration), John Quinn (VERITAS Collaboration), Kenneth J. Ragan (VERITAS Collaboration), Paul Reynolds (VERITAS Collaboration), Deivid Ribeiro (VERITAS Collaboration), Emmet Thomas Roache (VERITAS Collaboration), Iftach Sadeh (VERITAS Collaboration), Alberto Sadun (VERITAS Collaboration), Lab Saha (VERITAS Collaboration), Marcos Santander (VERITAS Collaboration), Glenn Sembroski (VERITAS Collaboration), Ruo Shang (VERITAS Collaboration), Megan Splettstoesser (VERITAS Collaboration), Anjana Talluri (VERITAS Collaboration), James Tucci (VERITAS Collaboration), Vladimir Vassiliev (VERITAS Collaboration), David Williams (VERITAS Collaboration), Sam Wong (VERITAS Collaboration), Talvikki Hovatta, Svetlana Jorstad, Sebastian Kiehlmann, Anne Lahteenmaki, Ioannis Liodakis, Alan Marscher, Walter Max-Moerbeck, Anthony Readhead, Rodrigo Reeves, Paul S Smith, Merja Tornikoski

arXiv: 2305.02860v1 - DOI (astro-ph.HE)

18 pages, 6 figures. Accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal (ApJ)

License: CC BY 4.0

Results of the summarizing process for the arXiv paper: 2305.02860v1

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This study reports the detection of very high energy gamma-ray emission from the blazar S3 1227+25 (VER J1230+253) using the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS). The observations were triggered by a hard-spectrum GeV flare detected on May 15, 2015 with the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT). A combined five-hour VERITAS exposure on May 16th and May 18th resulted in a strong 13$\sigma$ detection with a differential photon spectral index, $\Gamma$ = 3.8 $\pm$ 0.4, and a flux level at 9% of the Crab Nebula above 120 GeV. This also triggered target of opportunity observations with Swift, optical photometry, polarimetry and radio measurements, in addition to the VERITAS and Fermi-LAT data. The study investigates multiwavelength correlations to identify relationships between emission zones and place constraints on the dominant mechanisms responsible for blazar emission. The authors present multiwavelength lightcurves over a wider time interval from midnight on August 4, 2008 until midnight on February 1, 2022. The lightcurves include Fermi-LAT data in two distinct energy ranges: low energy (0.1–1 GeV) and high energy (1–300 GeV), radio lightcurves measured with Mets¨ahovi and OVRO, as well as optical lightcurves obtained from ASAS-SN Sky Patrol and ATLAS data. Local cross-correlation functions are applied to pairs of two different lightcurves to search for correlations between them. Monte Carlo simulations are used to determine the significance of an obtained LCCF value using artificial light curves that match the probability distribution function (PDF) and power spectral density (PSD) of each observation. The results show evidence of strong correlations between the Fermi-LAT lightcurves in different energy regimes which indicates that both MeV and GeV components of the flare have similar origins. Furthermore, investigation into correlations between multiwavelength observations revealed evidence of optical and gamma-ray correlations suggesting a single zone model of emission. Finally, multiwavelength spectral energy distribution is well described by a simple one zone leptonic synchrotron self Compton radiation model. Overall this study provides valuable insights into blazar emission mechanisms while highlighting importance of investigating multiwavelength correlations to identify relationships between emission zones.

Very high energy gamma-ray emission detected from blazar S3 1227+25 using VERITAS
Observations triggered by a hard-spectrum GeV flare detected on May 15, 2015 with Fermi-LAT
Strong 13$\sigma$ detection with a differential photon spectral index, $\Gamma$ = 3.8 $\pm$ 0.4, and a flux level at 9% of the Crab Nebula above 120 GeV
Multiwavelength correlations investigated to identify relationships between emission zones and place constraints on dominant mechanisms responsible for blazar emission
Multiwavelength lightcurves presented over wider time interval from August 4, 2008 until February 1, 2022 including Fermi-LAT data in two distinct energy ranges, radio lightcurves measured with Mets¨ahovi and OVRO, as well as optical lightcurves obtained from ASAS-SN Sky Patrol and ATLAS data
Evidence of strong correlations between Fermi-LAT lightcurves in different energy regimes indicating both MeV and GeV components of the flare have similar origins
Evidence of optical and gamma-ray correlations suggesting a single zone model of emission
Multiwavelength spectral energy distribution well described by a simple one zone leptonic synchrotron self Compton radiation model

There are some scientists who found a really strong light coming from a faraway object called blazar S3 1227+25. They used special tools to see this light. They saw the light because there was a big burst of energy that happened in May 2015. The scientists also looked at other kinds of light from the same place and they think it all comes from one area. They made graphs to show how the light changed over time and they found that different kinds of light were connected to each other. They have an idea about how this kind of thing makes light, but it's still being studied. Definitions- Gamma-ray: A type of very high-energy radiation that can be harmful to living things. - Blazar: A type of galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its center that produces intense radiation. - VERITAS: A telescope array used to detect gamma rays. - Fermi-LAT: A space observatory used to study gamma rays and cosmic rays. - Flux level: The amount of energy emitted by an object per unit time. - Crab Nebula: A supernova remnant located in the constellation Taurus. - Multiwavelength correlations: Comparing observations made at different wavelengths (e.g., radio, optical, gamma-ray) to understand an astronomical object or phenomenon better. - Leptonic synchrotron self Compton radiation model: A theoretical model used to explain how certain astronomical objects produce high-energy radiation.

Investigating Multiwavelength Correlations of Blazar S3 1227+25 with VERITAS and Fermi-LAT

Blazars are active galactic nuclei (AGN) characterized by relativistic jets pointed close to the line of sight. They are known for their extreme variability across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, from radio to gamma-rays. This makes them ideal targets for studying emission mechanisms in AGN and understanding the physical processes at work in these objects.

In this study, researchers used Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) and Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT) to detect very high energy gamma-ray emission from blazar S3 1227+25 (VER J1230+253). The observations were triggered by a hard-spectrum GeV flare detected on May 15, 2015 with the Fermi-LAT. A combined five-hour VERITAS exposure on May 16th and May 18th resulted in a strong 13$\sigma$ detection with a differential photon spectral index, $\Gamma$ = 3.8 $\pm$ 0.4, and a flux level at 9% of the Crab Nebula above 120 GeV. This also triggered target of opportunity observations with Swift, optical photometry, polarimetry and radio measurements, in addition to the VERITAS and Fermi-LAT data.

Multiwavelength Lightcurves

The authors present multiwavelength lightcurves over a wider time interval from midnight on August 4, 2008 until midnight on February 1 2022. The lightcurves include Fermi-LAT data in two distinct energy ranges: low energy (0.1–1 GeV) and high energy (1–300 GeV), radio lightcurves measured with Mets¨ahovi and OVRO as well as optical lightcurves obtained from ASAS-SN Sky Patrol and ATLAS data. Local cross correlation functions were applied to pairs of two different light curves to search for correlations between them while Monte Carlo simulations were used to determine significance of an obtained LCCF value using artificial light curves that match probability distribution function (PDF)and power spectral density(PSD).

Results

The results show evidence of strong correlations between the Fermi LAT light curves in different energy regimes which indicates that both MeV &GeV components have similar origins . Furthermore investigation into correlations between multi wavelength observations revealed evidence of optical γ ray correlations suggesting single zone model of emission . Finally ,multi wavelength spectral energy distribution is well described by simple one zone leptonic synchrotron self Compton radiation model .

Conclusion

Overall this study provides valuable insights into blazar emission mechanisms while highlighting importance of investigating multi wavelength correlations to identify relationships between emission zones . It demonstrates how combining multiple observational techniques can help us understand complex physical processes underlying AGN behavior more effectively than any single technique alone .

Created on 07 May. 2023

AI-generated keywords: Blazar Gamma-ray Multiwavelength Correlations Emission

AI-generated Key Points

Very high energy gamma-ray emission detected from blazar S3 1227+25 using VERITAS
Observations triggered by a hard-spectrum GeV flare detected on May 15, 2015 with Fermi-LAT
Strong 13$\sigma$ detection with a differential photon spectral index, $\Gamma$ = 3.8 $\pm$ 0.4, and a flux level at 9% of the Crab Nebula above 120 GeV
Multiwavelength correlations investigated to identify relationships between emission zones and place constraints on dominant mechanisms responsible for blazar emission
Multiwavelength lightcurves presented over wider time interval from August 4, 2008 until February 1, 2022 including Fermi-LAT data in two distinct energy ranges, radio lightcurves measured with Mets¨ahovi and OVRO, as well as optical lightcurves obtained from ASAS-SN Sky Patrol and ATLAS data
Evidence of strong correlations between Fermi-LAT lightcurves in different energy regimes indicating both MeV and GeV components of the flare have similar origins
Evidence of optical and gamma-ray correlations suggesting a single zone model of emission
Multiwavelength spectral energy distribution well described by a simple one zone leptonic synchrotron self Compton radiation model

Also access our AI generated: Comprehensive summary, Lay summary, Blog-like article; or ask questions about this paper to our AI assistant.

Abstract: We report the detection of very high energy gamma-ray emission from the blazar S3 1227+25 (VER J1230+253) with the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS). VERITAS observations of the source were triggered by the detection of a hard-spectrum GeV flare on May 15, 2015 with the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT). A combined five-hour VERITAS exposure on May 16th and May 18th resulted in a strong 13$\sigma$ detection with a differential photon spectral index, $\Gamma$ = 3.8 $\pm$ 0.4, and a flux level at 9% of the Crab Nebula above 120 GeV. This also triggered target of opportunity observations with Swift, optical photometry, polarimetry and radio measurements, also presented in this work, in addition to the VERITAS and Fermi-LAT data. A temporal analysis of the gamma-ray flux during this period finds evidence of a shortest variability timescale of $\tau_{obs}$ = 6.2 $\pm$ 0.9 hours, indicating emission from compact regions within the jet, and the combined gamma-ray spectrum shows no strong evidence of a spectral cut-off. An investigation into correlations between the multiwavelength observations found evidence of optical and gamma-ray correlations, suggesting a single-zone model of emission. Finally, the multiwavelength spectral energy distribution is well described by a simple one-zone leptonic synchrotron self-Compton radiation model.

Submitted to arXiv on 04 May. 2023

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