Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics – High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Scientific paper
2011-03-16
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
ApJ Letters, in press 7 pages, 4 figures (Fig. 4 added), 1 table
Scientific paper
The binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 consists of a 47.8 ms radio pulsar that orbits the companion Be star with a period of 3.4 years in a highly eccentric orbit. The system is well sampled in radio, X-rays, and TeV gamma-rays, and shows orbital-phase-dependent variability in all observed frequencies. Here we report on the discovery of >100 MeV gamma-rays from PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 through the 2010 pariastron passage. Using data collected with the Large Area Telescope aboard Fermi from 33 days before pariastron to 75 days after pariastron, PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 is detected at a significance of 13.6 standard deviations. The gamma-ray light curve is highly variable over the above period, with changing photon index that correlates with gamma-ray flux. In particular, two major flares that occur after the pariastron passage were observed. The onset of gamma-ray emission occurs close to, but not at the same orbital phases as, the two disk passages that occur ~1 month before and ~1 month after the pariastron passage. The fact that the GeV orbital light curve is different from that of the X-ray and TeV light curves strongly suggests that GeV gamma-ray emission originates from a different component. We speculate that the observed GeV flares may be resulting from Doppler boosting effects.
Cheng Kwong Sang
Huang Regina H. H.
Hui Chun Yin
Kong Albert K. H.
Takata Jumpei
No associations
LandOfFree
Discovery of GeV gamma-ray emission from PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Discovery of GeV gamma-ray emission from PSR B1259-63/LS 2883, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Discovery of GeV gamma-ray emission from PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-262713