scholarly journals On the reprocessing of gamma-rays produced by jets

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S275) ◽  
pp. 98-99
Author(s):  
M. Orellana ◽  
L. J. Pellizza ◽  
G. E. Romero

AbstractSystems of two very different sizescales are known to produce very high-energy (VHE) radiation in their jets: AGNs and microquasars. The produced VHE photons (Eγ ~ 1 TeV) can be absorbed by the intense environmental soft photon fields, coming from the companion star (in high mass binaries) or from the accreting material (disk+corona in AGNs), as these are the dominant sources at energies around ~(mec2)2/Eγ. Energetic pairs are created by the photon-photon annihilation, and, depending on how efficient are the competing cooling channels, the absorption can lead to a reprocessing by Inverse Compton pair-cascade development. A self-consistent modeling of these systems as gamma-ray sources should then include, along with the emission and absorption processes, a thorough treatment of the pair cascades. We discuss here on this issue, focusing on our (preliminary) results of numerical simulations devoted to a study case similar to the high-mass microquasar candidate LS 5039.

1996 ◽  
Vol 160 ◽  
pp. 363-364
Author(s):  
S.A. Dazeley ◽  
P.G. Edwards ◽  
J.R. Patterson ◽  
G.P. Rowell ◽  
M. Sinnott ◽  
...  

TheCollaboration ofAustralia andNippon for aGAmmaRayObservatory in theOutback operates two large telescopes at Woomera (South Australia), which detect the Čerenkov light images produced in the atmosphere by electronpositron cascades initiated by very high energy (~1 TeV or 1012eV) gamma rays. These gamma rays arise from a different mechanism than at EGRET energies: inverse Compton (IC) emission from relativistic electrons.The spoke-like images are recorded by a multi-pixel camera which facilitates the rejection of the large numbers of oblique and ragged cosmic ray images. A field of view ~3.5° is required. The Australian team operates a triple 4 m diameter mirror telescope, BIGRAT, with a 37 photomultiplier tube camera and energy threshold 600 GeV. The Japanese operate a single, highly accurate 3.8 m diameter f/1 telescope and high resolution 256 photomultipler tube camera. In 1998 a new 7 m telescope is planned for Woomera with a design threshold ~;200GeV.


1998 ◽  
Vol 188 ◽  
pp. 125-128
Author(s):  
T. Kifune

The current status of very high energy gamma ray astronomy (in ~ 1 TeV region) is described by using as example results of CANGAROO (Collaboration of Australia and Nippon for a GAmma Ray Observatory in the Outback). Gamma rays at TeV energies, emitted through inverse Compton effect of electrons or π0 decay from proton interaction, provide direct evidence on “hot” non-thermal processes of the Universe, as well as environmental features, such as the strength of magnetic field in the emission region, for the non-thermal processes.


2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (S313) ◽  
pp. 27-32
Author(s):  
Elina Lindfors

AbstractThe detection of Flat Spectrum Radio Quasars (FSRQs) in the Very High Energy (VHE, E>100 GeV) range is challenging, mainly because of their steep soft spectra and distance. Nevertheless four FSRQs are now known to be VHE emitters. The detection of the VHE γ-rays has challenged the emission models of these sources. The sources are also found to exhibit very different behavior. I will give an overview of what is known about the VHE emission of these sources and about the multiwavelength signatures that are connected to the VHE gamma-ray emission.


Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 372 (6546) ◽  
pp. 1081-1085
Author(s):  
◽  
H. Abdalla ◽  
F. Aharonian ◽  
F. Ait Benkhali ◽  
E. O. Angüner ◽  
...  

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), which are bright flashes of gamma rays from extragalactic sources followed by fading afterglow emission, are associated with stellar core collapse events. We report the detection of very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays from the afterglow of GRB 190829A, between 4 and 56 hours after the trigger, using the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.). The low luminosity and redshift of GRB 190829A reduce both internal and external absorption, allowing determination of its intrinsic energy spectrum. Between energies of 0.18 and 3.3 tera–electron volts, this spectrum is described by a power law with photon index of 2.07 ± 0.09, similar to the x-ray spectrum. The x-ray and VHE gamma-ray light curves also show similar decay profiles. These similar characteristics in the x-ray and gamma-ray bands challenge GRB afterglow emission scenarios.


Author(s):  
Paula M Chadwick

Very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy has undergone a transformation in the last few years, with telescopes of unprecedented sensitivity having greatly expanded the source catalogue. Such progress makes the detection of a gamma-ray burst at the highest energies much more likely than previously. This paper describes the facilities currently operating and their chances for detecting gamma-ray bursts, and reviews predictions for VHE gamma-ray emission from gamma-ray bursts. Results to date are summarized.


2018 ◽  
Vol 612 ◽  
pp. A6 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
H. Abdalla ◽  
A. Abramowski ◽  
F. Aharonian ◽  
F. Ait Benkhali ◽  
...  

Supernova remnants exhibit shock fronts (shells) that can accelerate charged particles up to very high energies. In the past decade, measurements of a handful of shell-type supernova remnants in very high-energy gamma rays have provided unique insights into the acceleration process. Among those objects, RX J1713.7−3946 (also known as G347.3−0.5) has the largest surface brightness, allowing us in the past to perform the most comprehensive study of morphology and spatially resolved spectra of any such very high-energy gamma-ray source. Here we present extensive new H.E.S.S. measurements of RX J1713.7−3946, almost doubling the observation time compared to our previous publication. Combined with new improved analysis tools, the previous sensitivity is more than doubled. The H.E.S.S. angular resolution of 0.048° (0.036° above 2 TeV) is unprecedented in gamma-ray astronomy and probes physical scales of 0.8 (0.6) parsec at the remnant’s location. The new H.E.S.S. image of RX J1713.7−3946 allows us to reveal clear morphological differences between X-rays and gamma rays. In particular, for the outer edge of the brightest shell region, we find the first ever indication for particles in the process of leaving the acceleration shock region. By studying the broadband energy spectrum, we furthermore extract properties of the parent particle populations, providing new input to the discussion of the leptonic or hadronic nature of the gamma-ray emission mechanism.


2019 ◽  
Vol 627 ◽  
pp. A22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. Osmanov ◽  
F. M. Rieger

Context. The recent detection of pulsed γ-ray emission from the Vela pulsar in the ∼10 to 100 GeV range by H.E.S.S. promises important potential to probe into the very high energy (VHE) radiation mechanisms of pulsars. Aims. A combined analysis of H.E.S.S. and Fermi-LAT data suggests that the leading wing of the P2 peak shows a new, hard gamma-ray component (with photon index as hard as Γ ∼ 3.5), setting in above 50 GeV and extending beyond 100 GeV. We study these findings in the context of rotationally driven (centrifugal) particle acceleration. Methods. We analyze achievable particle energies in the magnetosphere of the Vela pulsar and calculate the resultant emission properties. Results. Inverse Compton up-scattering of thermal photons from the surface of the star is shown to lead a pulsed VHE contribution reaching into the TeV regime with spectral characteristics compatible with current findings. If confirmed by further observations this could be the second case where rotationally driven processes turn out to be important to understand the VHE emission in young pulsars.


2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (06) ◽  
pp. 763-768
Author(s):  
M. V. DEL VALLE ◽  
M. ORELLANA ◽  
G. E. ROMERO

The high-mass microquasar Cygnus X-1 has been detected during a flaring state at very high energies, E > 200 GeV . The observation was performed by the Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope MAGIC. It constitutes the first experimental evidence of very-high energy (VHE) emission produced by a Galactic stellar-mass black hole. The observed signal was detected in coincidence with an X–ray flare. The gamma-ray flare occurred when the compact object was located behind the companion star with respect to the line of sight (superior conjunction of the compact object). In this configuration the absorption of VHE photons by annihilation with the stellar photons is expected to be maximum. This suggests that the emission has been originated far above the compact object. The energy spectrum is well fitted by a relatively soft power-law. We present a model for the absorption and the emission of VHE gamma-rays in Cyg X-1. Detailed calculations of the gamma-ray opacity due to pair creation are provided and used to establish constraints on the emitting region. We propose that the high energy flare was the result of the interaction between the jet and a very dense clump from the stellar wind.


1992 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.G. Edwards ◽  
A.G. Gregory ◽  
J.R. Patterson ◽  
M.D. Roberts ◽  
G.P. Rowell ◽  
...  

AbstractIn this paper the Very High Energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy program at the University of Adelaide is described. VHE gamma rays with energies above ~5 × 1011eV are observed using the atmospheric Cerenkov technique. Results from the first three years observations at Woomera and the current upgrading of the telecope are described. The CANGAROO project, a collaboration between the University of Adelaide and a number of Japanese institutions, is also introduced.


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