scholarly journals The first catalog of Fermi-LAT sources below 100 MeV

2018 ◽  
Vol 618 ◽  
pp. A22 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Principe ◽  
D. Malyshev ◽  
J. Ballet ◽  
S. Funk
Keyword(s):  
Energy Range ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Source Analysis ◽  
Emission Model ◽  
Diffuse Emission ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
Source Confusion ◽  
Bl Lacs

We present the first Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) low energy catalog (1FLE) of sources detected in the energy range 30 – 100 MeV. The imaging Compton telescope (COMPTEL) onboard NASA’s Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory detected sources below 30 MeV, while catalogs of point sources released by the Fermi-LAT and EGRET collaborations use energies above 100 MeV. Because the Fermi-LAT detects gamma rays with energies as low as 20 MeV, we create a list of sources detected in the energy range between 30 and 100 MeV, which closes a gap of point source analysis between the COMPTEL catalog and the Fermi-LAT catalogs. One of the main challenges in the analysis of point sources is the construction of the background diffuse emission model. In our analysis, we use a background-independent method to search for point-like sources based on a wavelet transform implemented in the PGWave code. The 1FLE contains 198 sources detected above 3σ significance with eight years and nine months of the Fermi-LAT data. For 187 sources in the 1FLE catalog we have found an association in the Fermi-LAT 3FGL catalog: 148 are extragalactic, 22 are Galactic, and 17 are unclassified in the 3FGL. The ratio of the number of flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQ) to BL Lacertae (BL Lacs) in 1FLE is three to one, which can be compared with an approximately 1:1 ratio for the 3FGL or a 1:6 ratio for 3FHL. The higher ratio of the FSRQs in the 1FLE is expected due to generally softer spectra of FSRQs relative to BL Lacs. Most BL Lacs in 1FLE are of low-synchrotron peaked blazar type (18 out of 31), which have softer spectra and higher redshifts than BL Lacs on average. Correspondingly, we find that the average redshift of the BL Lacs in 1FLE is higher than in 3FGL or 3FHL. There are 11 sources that do not have associations in the 3FGL. Most of the unassociated sources either come from regions of bright diffuse emission or have several known 3FGL sources in the vicinity, which can lead to source confusion. The remaining unassociated sources have significance less than 4σ.

NEW INSIGHT INTO GAMMA-RAY BLAZARS FROM THE FERMI-LAT

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (06) ◽  
pp. 831-839 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
BENOIT LOTT
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Test Statistic ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Bl Lac Objects ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
Sky Survey ◽  
Bl Lac ◽  
Ngc 1275 ◽  
Bl Lacs

The first three months of sky-survey operation with the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board the Fermi satellite revealed 132 bright sources at |b| > 10° with test statistic greater than 100 (corresponding to about 10σ). Two methods, based on the CGRaBS, CRATES and BZCat catalogs, indicated high-confidence associations of 106 of these sources with known AGNs. This sample is referred to as the LAT Bright AGN Sample (LBAS). It contains two radio galaxies, namely Centaurus A and NGC 1275, and 104 blazars consisting of 58 flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), 42 BL Lac objects, and four blazars with unknown classification. Remarkably, the LBAS includes 10 high-energy-peaked BL Lacs. Only 33 of the sources, plus two at |b| < 10°, were previously detected with EGRET, probably due to variability. The analysis of the gamma-ray properties of the LBAS sources reveals that the average GeV spectra of BL Lac objects are significantly harder than the spectra of FSRQs. Other spectral and variability blazar properties are discussed. Some prominent Fermi-detected radiogalaxies are presented.

scholarly journals A new gamma-ray source unveiled by AGILE in the region of Orion

2018 ◽  
Vol 615 ◽  
pp. A82 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Marchili ◽  
G. Piano ◽  
M. Cardillo ◽  
A. Giuliani ◽  
S. Molinari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stellar Wind ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Galactic Plane ◽  
Direct Detection ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Emission Model ◽  
Small Contribution ◽  
Diffuse Emission ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Agile Satellite

Context. Diffuse galactic γ-ray emission is produced by the interaction of cosmic rays (CRs) with the interstellar environment. The study of γ-ray emission is therefore a powerful tool that can be used to investigate the origin of CRs and the processes through which they are accelerated. Aims. Our aim is to gain deeper insights into the nature of γ-ray emission in the region of Orion, which is one of the best studied sites of ongoing star formation, by analysing data from the AGILE satellite. Because of the large amount of interstellar medium (ISM) present in it, the diffuse γ-ray emission expected from the Orion region is relatively high. Its separation from the galactic plane also ensures a very small contribution from foreground or background emission, which makes it an ideal site for studying the processes of particle acceleration in star-forming environments. Methods. The AGILE data are modelled through a template that quantifies the γ-ray diffuse emission expected from atomic and molecular hydrogen. Other sources of emission, such as inverse Compton (IC) scattering in interstellar radiation fields (ISRF) and extragalactic background, can be modelled as an isotropic contribution. Results. Gamma-ray emission exceeding the amount expected by the diffuse emission model is detected with a high level of significance. The main excess is in the high-longitude part of Orion A, which confirms previous results from the Fermi Large Area Telescope. A thorough analysis of this feature suggests a connection between the observed γ-ray emission and the B0.5 Ia star κ Orionis. Conclusions. We present the results of the investigation of γ-ray diffuse galactic emission from the region of Orion. The comparison between modelled and observed emission points towards the existence of higher-than-expected γ-ray flux from a 1° radius region centred in κ Orionis, compatible with the site where stellar wind collides with the ISM. Scattering on dark gas and cosmic-ray acceleration at the shock between the two environments are both discussed as possible explanations, with the latter hypothesis being supported by the hardness of the energy spectrum of the emission. If confirmed, this would be the first direct detection of γ-ray emission from the interaction between ISM and a single star’s stellar wind.

scholarly journals A New Sample of Gamma-Ray Emitting Jetted Active Galactic Nuclei—Preliminary Results

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
pp. 372
Author(s):  
Luigi Foschini ◽  
Matthew L. Lister ◽  
Sonia Antón ◽  
Marco Berton ◽  
Stefano Ciroi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Galactic Nuclei ◽  
Seyfert Galaxies ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Bl Lac Objects ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
Many Sources

We are compiling a new list of gamma-ray jetted active galactic nuclei (AGN), starting from the fourth catalog of point sources of the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). Our aim is to prepare a list of jetted AGN with known redshifts and classifications to be used to calibrate jet power. We searched in the available literature for all the published optical spectra and multiwavelength studies useful to characterize the sources. We found new, missed, or even forgotten information leading to a substantial change in the redshift values and classification of many sources. We present here the preliminary results of this analysis and some statistics based on the gamma-ray sources with right ascension within the interval 0h--12h (J2000). Although flat-spectrum radio quasars and BL Lac objects are still the dominant populations, there is a significant increase in the number of other objects, such as misaligned AGN, narrow-line Seyfert 1 galaxies, and Seyfert galaxies. We also introduced two new classes of objects: changing-look AGN and ambiguous sources. About one third of the sources remain unclassified.

scholarly journals Developing the Galactic diffuse emission model for the GLAST Large Area Telescope

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor V. Moskalenko ◽  
Andrew W. Strong ◽  
Seth W. Digel ◽  
Troy A. Porter ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Emission Model ◽  
Diffuse Emission ◽  
Large Area

scholarly journals Locating the gamma-ray emission region in the brightest Fermi-LAT flat-spectrum radio quasars

2020 ◽  
Vol 500 (4) ◽  
pp. 5297-5321
Author(s):  
Atreya Acharyya ◽  
Paula M Chadwick ◽  
Anthony M Brown
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Emission Region ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Line Region ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
Show Evidence ◽  
Very High Energy ◽  
Gamma Ray Emission

ABSTRACT We present a temporal and spectral analysis of the gamma-ray flux from nine of the brightest flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) detected with the Fermi Large Area Telescope during its first 8 yr of operation, with the aim of constraining the location of the emission region. Using the increased photon statistics obtained from the two brightest flares of each source, we find evidence of sub-hour variability from B2 1520+31, PKS 1502+106, and PKS 1424−41, with the remaining sources showing variability on time-scales of a few hours. These indicate gamma-ray emission from extremely compact regions in the jet, potentially compatible with emission from within the broad-line region (BLR). The flare spectra show evidence of a spectral cut-off in 7 of the 18 flares studied, further supporting the argument for BLR emission in these sources. An investigation into the energy dependence of cooling time-scales finds evidence for both BLR origin and emission from within the molecular torus (MT). However, Monte Carlo simulations show that the very high energy (Eγ ≥ 20 GeV) emission from all sources except 3C 279, 3C 454.3, and 4C 21.35 is incompatible with a BLR origin. The combined findings of all the approaches used suggest that the gamma-ray emission in the brightest FSRQs originates in multiple compact emission regions throughout the jet, within both the BLR and the MT.

scholarly journals The γ-ray sky seen at X-ray energies

2020 ◽  
Vol 638 ◽  
pp. A128 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. J. Marchesini ◽  
A. Paggi ◽  
F. Massaro ◽  
N. Masetti ◽  
R. D’Abrusco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Bl Lac Objects ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Positional Uncertainty ◽  
Bl Lac ◽  
Frequency Behavior ◽  
Bl Lacs ◽  
Selection Of

Context. Nearly 50% of all sources detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope are classified as blazars or blazar candidates, one of the most elusive classes of active galaxies. Additional blazars can also be hidden within the sample of unidentified or unassociated γ-ray sources (UGSs) that constitute about one-third of all gamma-ray sources detected to date. We recently confirmed that the large majority of Fermi blazars of the BL Lac subclass have an X-ray counterpart. Aims. Using the X-ray properties of a BL Lac training set and combining these with archival multifrequency information, we aim to search for UGSs that could have a BL Lac source within their γ-ray positional uncertainty regions. Methods. We reduced and analyzed the Swift X-ray observations of a selected sample of 327 UGSs. We then compared the X-ray fluxes and hardness ratios of all sources detected in the pointed fields with those of known Fermi BL Lacs. Results. We find at least one X-ray source, lying within the γ-ray positional uncertainty at 95% confidence level, for 223 UGSs and a total of 464 X-ray sources in all fields analyzed. The X-ray properties of a large fraction of them, eventually combined with radio, infrared, and optical information, exhibit BL Lac multi-frequency behavior, thus allowing us to select high-confidence BL Lac candidates; some of them were recently observed during our optical spectroscopic campaign which confirmed their nature. Conclusions. We find that out of 50 X-ray sources that were confirmed as BL Lacs through optical spectroscopy, 12 do not show canonical mid-infrared or radio BL Lac properties. This indicates that the selection of X-ray BL Lac candidates is a strong method to find new counterparts within Fermi UGSs. Finally, we pinpoint a sample of 32 Swift/XRT candidate counterparts to Fermi UGSs that are most likely BL Lac objects.

Diffuse Gamma Rays of Galactic and Extragalactic Origin: Preliminary Results from EGRET

1996 ◽  
Vol 168 ◽  
pp. 279-288
Author(s):  
P. Sreekumar ◽  
D.A. Kniffen
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Rays ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Emission Model ◽  
Diffuse Emission ◽  
Interstellar Gas ◽  
Cosmic Ray Interactions ◽  
Galactic Model ◽  
Energy Gamma

The all-sky survey in high energy gamma rays (E&gt;30 MeV) carried out by the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory provides for the first time an opportunity to examine in detail diffuse gamma-ray emission of extra-galactic origin. The observed diffuse emission at high galactic latitudes is generally assumed to have a galactic component arising from cosmic-ray interactions with the local interstellar gas and radiation, in addition to an isotropic component presumably of extragalactic origin. The galactic component can be estimated from a model of the interstellar medium and cosmic-ray distribution. Since the derived extragalactic spectrum depends very much on the success of our galactic model, the consistency of the galactic diffuse emission model is examined both spectrally and spatially with existing EGRET observations. In conjunction with this model, EGRET observations of the high latitude emission are used to examine the flux and spectrum of the residual extragalactic emission. This residual emission could be either truly diffuse in origin or could arise from accumulated emission from unresolved sources particularly in the light of EGRET observations showing the presence of numerous gamma-ray bright active galactic nuclei.

scholarly journals GRB 190114C: from prompt to afterglow?

2019 ◽  
Vol 626 ◽  
pp. A12 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Ravasio ◽  
G. Oganesyan ◽  
O. S. Salafia ◽  
G. Ghirlanda ◽  
G. Ghisellini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Energy Range ◽  
Power Law ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Lorentz Factor ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Spectral Evolution ◽  
Gamma Ray Burst

GRB 190114C is the first gamma-ray burst detected at very high energies (VHE, i.e., > 300 GeV) by the MAGIC Cherenkov telescope. The analysis of the emission detected by the Fermi satellite at lower energies, in the 10 keV–100 GeV energy range, up to ∼50 s (i.e., before the MAGIC detection) can hold valuable information. We analyze the spectral evolution of the emission of GRB 190114C as detected by the Fermi Gamma-Ray Burst Monitor (GBM) in the 10 keV–40 MeV energy range up to ∼60 s. The first 4 s of the burst feature a typical prompt emission spectrum, which can be fit by a smoothly broken power-law function with typical parameters. Starting on ∼4 s post-trigger, we find an additional nonthermal component that can be fit by a power law. This component rises and decays quickly. The 10 keV–40 MeV flux of the power-law component peaks at ∼6 s; it reaches a value of 1.7 × 10−5 erg cm−2 s−1. The time of the peak coincides with the emission peak detected by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board Fermi. The power-law spectral slope that we find in the GBM data is remarkably similar to that of the LAT spectrum, and the GBM+LAT spectral energy distribution seems to be consistent with a single component. This suggests that the LAT emission and the power-law component that we find in the GBM data belong to the same emission component, which we interpret as due to the afterglow of the burst. The onset time allows us to estimate that the initial jet bulk Lorentz factor Γ0 is about 500, depending on the assumed circum-burst density.

scholarly journals Blazar jet physics in the age of Fermi

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (S275) ◽  
pp. 111-121 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles D. Dermer
Keyword(s):  
Gamma Ray ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Jet Physics ◽  
Theoretical Studies ◽  
Ultra High Energy ◽  
Large Area ◽  
High Energy Cosmic Rays ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Radio Quasar

AbstractThe impact of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope on blazar research is reviewed. This includes a brief description of the Fermi Large Area Telescope, a summary of the various classes of extragalactic sources found in the First Large Area Telescope AGN Catalog, and more detailed discussion of the flat spectrum radio quasar 3C454.3 and the BL Lac object PKS 2155-304. Some theoretical studies related to ongoing blazar research with Fermi are mentioned, including implications of γ-ray observations of radio galaxies on blazar unification scenarios, variability in colliding shells, and whether blazars are sources of ultra-high energy cosmic rays.

scholarly journals Long term γ-ray variability of blazars

2020 ◽  
Vol 634 ◽  
pp. A80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bhoomika Rajput ◽  
C. S. Stalin ◽  
Suvendu Rakshit
Keyword(s):  
Time Scales ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Spectral Energy Distribution ◽  
Broad Band ◽  
Spectral Energy ◽  
Bl Lac Objects ◽  
Spectrum Radio ◽  
Bl Lac ◽  
Bl Lacs

We used the data from the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope to characterise the γ-ray flux variability of blazars on month-like time scales. Our sample consists of 1120 blazars of which 481 are flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and 639 are BL Lac objects (BL Lacs). We generated monthly binned light curves of our sample for a period of approximately nine years from 2008 August to 2017 December and quantified variability by using excess variance (Fvar). On month-like time scales, 371/481 FSRQs are variable (80%), while only about 50% (304/639) of BL Lacs are variable. This suggests that FSRQs are more variable than BL Lac objects. We find a mean Fvar of 0.55 ± 0.33 and 0.47 ± 0.29 for FSRQs and BL Lacs respectively. Large Fvar in FSRQs is also confirmed from the analysis of the ensemble structure function. By Dividing our sample of blazars based on the position of the synchrotron peak in their broad-band spectral energy distribution, we find that the low synchrotron peaked (LSP) sources have the largest mean Fvar value of 0.54 ± 0.32 while the intermediate synchrotron peaked (ISP) and high synchrotron peaked sources have mean Fvar values of 0.45 ± 0.25 and 0.47 ± 0.33 respectively. On month-like time scales, we find FSRQs to show a high duty cycle (DC) of variability of 66% relative to BL Lacs that show a DC of 36%. We find that both the Fvar and time scale of variability (τ) do not correlate with MBH. We note that Fvar is found to be weakly correlated with Doppler factor (δ) and τ is also weakly correlated with δ. Most of the sources in our sample have τ of the order of days, which might be related to processes in the jet. We find marginal difference in the distribution of τ between FSRQs and BL Lacs.

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