C. Köhler

First results on the performance of the HEGRA IACT array

Abstract First results concerning the performance characteristics of the HEGRA IACT array are given based on stereoscopic observations of the Crab Nebula with four telescopes. The system provides a γ-ray energy threshold around 0.5 TeV. The Crab signal demonstrates an angular resolution of about 0.1°. Shape cuts allow to suppress cosmic ray background by almost a factor 100, while maintaining 40% efficiency for γ-rays. The Crab signal is essentially background free. For longer observation times of order 100 h, the system in its present form provides sensitivity to point sources at a level of 3% of the Crab flux. Performance is expected to improve further with the inclusion of the fifth telescope and the implementation of advanced algorithms for shower reconstruction.

The Energy Spectrum of TeV Gamma Rays from the Crab Nebula as Measured by the HEGRA System of Imaging Air Cerenkov Telescopes

The Crab Nebula has been observed by the HEGRA (High-Energy Gamma-Ray Astronomy) stereoscopic system of imaging air Cerenkov telescopes (IACTs) for a total of ~200 hr during two observational campaigns: from 1997 September to 1998 March and from 1998 August to 1999 April. The recent detailed studies of system performance give an energy threshold and an energy resolution for γ-rays of 500 GeV and ~18%, respectively. The Crab energy spectrum was measured with the HEGRA IACT system in a very broad energy range up to 20 TeV, using observations at zenith angles up to 65°. The Crab data can be fitted in the energy range from 1 to 20 TeV by a simple power law, which yields dJγ/dE = (2.79 ± 0.02 ± 0.5) × 10-7(E/1 TeV)-2.59±0.03±0.05 photons m-2 s-1 TeV-1. The Crab Nebula energy spectrum, as measured with the HEGRA IACT system, agrees within 15% in the absolute scale and within 0.1 units in the power-law index with the latest measurements by the Whipple, CANGAROO, and CAT groups, consistent within the statistical and systematic errors quoted by the experiments. The pure power-law spectrum of TeV γ-rays from the Crab Nebula constrains the physics parameters of the nebula environment as well as the models of photon emission.

Correlated Intense X-Ray and TeV Activity of Markarian 501 in 1998 June

We present exactly simultaneous X-ray and TeV monitoring with RXTE and HEGRA of the TeV blazar Mrk 501 during 15 days in 1998 June. After an initial period of very low flux at both wavelengths, the source underwent a remarkable flare in the TeV and X-ray energy bands, lasting for about 6 days and with a larger amplitude at TeV energies than in the X-ray band. At the peak of the TeV flare, rapid TeV flux variability on subhour timescales is found. Large spectral variations are observed at X-rays, with the 3-20 keV photon index of a pure power-law continuum flattening from ? = 2.3 to ? = 1.8 on a timescale of 2-3 days. This implies that during the maximum of the TeV activity the synchrotron peak shifted to energies 50 keV, a behavior similar to that observed during the longer lasting, more intense flare in 1997 April. The TeV spectrum during the flare is described by a power law with photon index ? = 1.9 and an exponential cutoff at ~4 TeV; an indication for spectral softening during the flare decay is observed in the TeV hardness ratios. Our results generally support a scenario in which the TeV photons are emitted via inverse Compton scattering of ambient seed photons by the same electron population responsible for the synchrotron X-rays. The simultaneous spectral energy distributions can be fit with a one-zone synchrotron self-Compton model assuming a substantial increase of the magnetic field and the electron energy by factors of 3 and 10, respectively.

Detection of gamma rays above 1 TeV from the Crab Nebula by the second HEGRA imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope at La Palma

Abstract The results of observations of the Crab Nebula by the second HEGRA imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescope during the period 1994/1995 are presented. The signal, detected at a level of 10 σ , allows one to estimate the flux and the spectral index of the γ -ray energy spectrum above 1 TeV. The analysis, based on the comparison of measurements with comprehensive Monte Carlo simulations, reveals a γ -ray flux F γ (≥ 1 TeV) ⋍ 8 × 10 −12 photons cm −2 s −1 , and indicates a rather steep integral spectrum in the energy region 1–3 TeV with a power-law index α ⋍ 1.6–1.8.

Stereoscopic imaging of air showers with the first two HEGRA Cherenkov telescopes

Abstract With systems of atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, providing stereo images of air showers, the shower parameters, such as the direction, core location, and height of shower maximum can be determined event by event. Techniques for the reconstruction of air showers are introduced, and are demonstrated using data from the first two HEGRA Cherenkov telescopes. Applied to observations of the Crab nebula, a clear signal is observed; the angular distribution of the excess events is consistent with Monte Carlo simulations of the expected resolution.

The time structure of Cherenkov images generated by TeV γ-rays and by cosmic rays

Abstract The time profiles of Cherenkov images of cosmic-ray showers and of γ-rays showers are investigated, using data gathered with the HEGRA system of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes during the 1997 outbursts of Mrk 501. Photon arrival times are shown to vary across the shower images. The dominant feature is a time gradient along the major axis of the images. The gradient varies with the distance between the telescope and the shower core, and is maximal for large distances. The time profiles of cosmic-ray showers and of γ-ray showers differ in a characteristic fashion. The main features of the time profiles can be understood in terms of simple geometrical models. Use of the timing information towards improved shower reconstruction and cosmic-ray supperssion is discussed.The time profiles of Cherenkov images of cosmic-ray showers and of gamma-ray showers are investigated, using data gathered with the HEGRA system of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes during the 1997 outbursts of Mrk 501. Photon arrival times are shown to vary across the shower images. The dominant feature is a time gradient along the major axis of the images. The gradient varies with the distance between the telescope and the shower core, and is maximal for large distances. The time profiles of cosmic-ray showers and of gamma-ray showers differ in a characteristic fashion. The main features of the time profiles can be understood in terms of simple geometrical models. Use of the timing information towards improved shower reconstruction and cosmic-ray suppression is discussed.

Characteristics of the multi-telescope coincidence trigger of the HEGRA IACT system

Abstract The HEGRA-collaboration is operating a system of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes to search for sources of TeV-γ-rays. Air showers are observed in stereoscopic mode with several telescopes simultaneously. To trigger the telescope system a versatile two-level trigger scheme has been implemented, which allows a significant reduction of the energy threshold with respect to single telescopes. The technical implementation of this trigger scheme and the performance of the trigger system are described. Results include the dependence of single- and multi-telescope trigger rates on the trigger thresholds, on the orientation of the telescopes, and on the type of the primary particle.

Cosmic ray proton spectrum determined with the imaging atmospheric Cherenkov technique

The HEGRA system of 4 imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes ~IACTs! has been used to determine the flux and the spectrum of cosmic ray protons over a limited energy range around 1.5 TeV. Although the IACT system is designed for the detection of g-rays with energies above 500 GeV, it has also a large detection area of .10 6 m 2 33 msr for primary protons of energies above 1 TeV and the capability to reconstruct the primary proton energy with a reasonable accuracy DE/E of 50% near this threshold. Furthermore, the principle of stereoscopic detection of air showers permits the effective suppression of air showers induced by heavier primaries already on the trigger level, and in addition on the software level by analysis of the stereoscopic images. The combination of both capabilities permits a determination of the proton spectrum almost independently of the cosmic ray chemical composition. The accuracy of our estimate of the spectral index at 1.5 TeV is limited by systematic uncertainties and is comparable to the accuracy achieved with recent balloon and space borne experiments. In this paper we describe in detail the analysis tools, namely the detailed Monte Carlo simulation, the analysis procedure and the results. We determine the local ~i.e., in the range of 1.5‐3 TeV! differential spectral index to be g p52.7260.02stat60.15syst and obtain an integral flux above 1.5 TeV of F (.1.5 TeV)53.160.6 stat61.2syst310 22 /s sr m 2 . @S0556-2821~99!04107-7#

Locating TeV γ-ray sources with sub-arcminute precision: the pointing calibration of the HEGRA system of Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes

Abstract Stereoscopic viewing of TeV γ-ray air showers with systems of Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) allows us to reconstruct the origin of individual primary particles with an accuracy of 0.1° or better. The shower impact point can be determined within 15 meters. To actually achieve this resolution, the pointing of the telescopes of an IACT system needs to be controlled with high precision. For the HEGRA IACT system, a procedure to calibrate telescope pointing was established, using bright stars distributed over the sky as references. On the basis of these measurements, one determines parameters of a correction function which is valid for the complete hemisphere. After correction a pointing accuracy of 0.01° is achieved.

TeV γ-ray observations of the Crab and Mkn 501 during moonshine and twilight

Abstract TeV γ-ray signals from the Crab Nebula and Mkn 501 were detected with the HEGRA CT1 imaging Cerenkov telescope during periods when the moon was shining and during twilight. This was accomplished by lowering the high voltage supply of the photomultipliers in fixed steps up to 13%. No other adjustments were made and no filters were used. Laser runs could not establish any nonlinearity in the gain of the individual pixels, and the trigger rate was uniform over the whole camera. The energy threshold was increased by up to a factor of two, depending on the amount of HV reduction. In a series of observations lasting 11.7 hours, a signal with a 3.4σ significance was detected from the Crab. During the 1997 multiple flare episode of Mkn 501 a 26σ combined excess was recorded during 134 hours of observations under various moonshine/twilight conditions. The results show that this technique can easily be adapted to increase the exposure of a source, which is important for sources showing rapid time variability such as AGNs or GRBs. Observations can be made up to ∼ 20° angular separation from the moon and until the moon is 85% illuminated (ten to eleven days before and after new moon), as well as during 20 to 40 minutes during twilight, before the commencement of astronomical darkness.