P. Eger

XMM-Newton observations of the Small Magellanic Cloud: Be/X-ray binary pulsars active between October 2006 and June 2007

Aims. We analysed eight XMM-Newton observations toward the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC), performed between October 2006 and June 2007, to investigate high mass X-ray binary systems. Methods. We produced images from the European Photon Imaging Cameras (EPIC) and extracted X-ray spectra and light curves in different energy bands from sources that yielded a sufficiently high number of counts for a detailed temporal and spectral analysis. To search for periodicity we applied Fourier transformations and folding techniques and determined pulse periods using a Bayesian approach. To identify optical counterparts we produced X-ray source lists for each observation using maximum likelihood source detection techniques and correlated them with optical catalogues. The correlations were also used for astrometric boresight corrections of the X-ray source positions. Results. We found new X-ray binary pulsars with periods of 202 s (XMMU J005929.0-723703), 342 s (XMMU J005403.8-722632), 645 s (XMMU J005535.2-722906) and 325 s (XMMU J005252.1-721715), in the latter case confirming the independent discovery in Chandra data. In addition we detected sixteen known Be/X-ray binary pulsars and six ROSAT-classified candidate high mass X-ray binaries. From one of the candidates, RX J0058.2-7231, we discovered X-ray pulsations with a period of 291 s which makes it the likely counterpart of XTE J0051-727. From the known pulsars, we revise the pulse period of CXOU J010206.6-714115 to 967 s, and we detected the 18.37 s pulsar XTE J0055-727 (=XMM J004911.4-724939) in outburst, which allowed us to localise the source. The pulse profiles of the X-ray pulsars show a wide variety of shapes from smooth to highly structured patterns and differing energy dependence. For all the candidate high mass X-ray binaries, optical counterparts can be identified with magnitudes and colours consistent with Be stars. Twenty of the Be/X-ray binaries were detected with X-ray luminosities in the range 1.5 × 10 35 – 5.5 × 10 36 erg s −1 . The majority of the spectra is well represented by an absorbed power-law with an average power-law index of 0.93. The absorption (in addition to the Galactic foreground value) varies over a wide range between a few 10 20 cm −2 and several 10 22 cm −2 . An overall correlation of the absorption with the total SMC H i column density suggests that the absorption seen in the X-ray spectra is often largely caused by interstellar gas.

Multi-wavelength environment of the Galactic globular cluster Terzan 5

Terzan 5 is a Galactic globular cluster exhibiting prominent X-ray and gamma-ray emission. Following the discovery of extended X-ray emission in this object, we explore here archival data at several wavelengths for other unexpected emission features in the vicinity of this globular cluster. Radio data from the Effelsberg 100-m telescope show several extended structures near Terzan 5, albeit with large uncertainties in the flux estimates and no reliable radio spectral index. In particular, a radio source extending from the location of Terzan 5 to the north-west could result from long-term non-thermal electron production by the large population of milli-second pulsars in this globular cluster. Another prominent radio structure close to Terzan 5 may be explained by ionised material produced by a field O star. As for the diffuse X-ray emission found in Terzan 5, its extension appears to be limited to within 2.5 arcmin of the globular cluster and the available multi-wavelength data is compatible with an inverse Compton scenario but disfavours a non- thermal Bremsstrahlung origin.

A search for diffuse X-ray emission from GeV-detected Galactic globular clusters

Context. Recently, diffuse and extended sources in TeV γ-rays as well as in X-rays have been detected in the direction of the Galactic globular cluster (GC) Terzan 5. Remarkably, this is among the brightest GCs detected in the GeV regime. The nature of either the TeV or the diffuse X-ray signal from Terzan 5 is not yet settled. These emissions most likely indicate the presence of several non-thermal radiation processes in addition to those that give rise to the GeV signal. Aims. The aim of this work is to search for diffuse X-ray emission from all GeV-detected GCs where appropriate X-ray observations are available, and to compare the obtained results with the signal detected from Terzan 5. This study will help to determine whether Terzan 5 stands out among other GC or whether a whole population of globular clusters feature similar properties. Methods. After assessing all archival X-ray observations of GeV detected GCs, we analyzed the data of six Chandra observations pointed toward M 62, NGC 6388, NGC 6541, M 28, M 80, and NGC 6139. For each GC we characterized the diffuse X-ray emission using the same analysis techniques as for Terzan 5. To study the emission on the same relative scales we used the half-mass radius as a scale parameter to determine the extent of the potential emission region. Results. None of the six GCs show significant diffuse X-ray emission above the particle and diffuse Galactic X-ray background components. The derived upper limits allow to assess the validity of different models that were discussed in the interpretation of the multi-wavelength data of Terzan 5. A scenario based on synchrotron emission from relativistic leptons provided by the millisecond pulsar population cannot be securely rejected if a comparable magnetic field strength as in Terzan 5 is assumed for every GC. However, such a scenario seems to be unlikely for NGC 6388, and M 62. An inverse-Compton scenario relying on the presence of a putative GRB remnant with the same properties as proposed for Terzan 5 can be ruled out for all six GCs. Finally, the assumption that each GC hosts a source with the same luminosity as in Terzan 5 is ruled out for all GCs but NGC 6139.

Exploring the potential X-ray counterpart of the puzzling TeV gamma-ray source HESS J1507−622 with new Suzaku observations

The unidentified VHE (E>100 GeV) gamma-ray source HESS J1507-622 seems to not fit into standard models for sources related to young supernova remnants, pulsar wind nebulae, or young stellar populations in general. This is due to its intrinsically extended, but yet compact morphology, coupled with a relative large offset (~3.5 deg) from the Galactic plane. Therefore, it has been suggested that this object may be the first representative of a new distinct class of extended off-plane gamma-ray sources. The distance to HESS J1507-622 is the key parameter to constrain the sources most important properties, such as age and energetics of the relativistic particle population. In this article we report on results of follow-up observations of the potential X-ray counterpart with Suzaku. We present detailed measurements of its spectral parameters and find a high absorbing hydrogen column density, compatible with the total amount of Galactic gas in this direction. In comparisons to measurements and models of the Galactic three-dimensional gas distribution we show that the potential X-ray counterpart of HESS J1507-622 may be located at the far end of the Galaxy. If the gamma-ray source is indeed physically connected to this extended X-ray source, this in turn would place the object outside of the usual distribution of Galactic VHE gamma-ray emitters.

Discovery of new TeV supernova remnant shells in the Galactic plane with H.E.S.S.

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are prime candidates for efficient particle acceleration up to the knee in the cosmic ray particle spectrum. In this work we present a new method for a systematic search for new TeV-emitting SNR shells in 2864 hours of H.E.S.S. phase I data used for the H.E.S.S. Galactic Plane Survey. This new method, which correctly identifies the known shell morphologies of the TeV SNRs covered by the survey, HESS J1731-347, RX 1713.7-3946, RCW 86, and Vela Junior, reveals also the existence of three new SNR candidates. All three candidates were extensively studied regarding their morphological, spectral, and multi-wavelength (MWL) properties. HESS J1534-571 was associated with the radio SNR candidate G323.7-1.0, and thus is classified as an SNR. HESS J1912+101 and HESS J1614-518, on the other hand, do not have radio or X-ray counterparts that would permit to identify them firmly as SNRs, and therefore they remain SNR candidates, discovered first at TeV energies as such. Further MWL follow up o...

Observations of binary systems with the H.E.S.S. telescopes

Observations of binary systems obtained recently with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S) of Cherenkov telescopes are reported. The outcomes of a detailed observation campaign on PSR B1259-63 during its periastron passage in 2014 will be presented. This system was observed for the first time with H.E.S.S. II, providing spectra and light curves down to 200 GeV, which will be compared with observations conducted during previous periastron passages and with results from an analysis of contemporaneously taken Fermi-LAT data. Also long-term observations of LS 5039 with H.E.S.S in phase I and phase II are reported. This source was monitored at very high energies (VHEs) in a period of time spanning more than ten years. Its spectral energy distribution measured with H.E.S.S. II extends down to 120 GeV. Spectral results from the Fermi-LAT observations are shown as well, and the compatibility with H.E.S.S. results in the overlapping energy range is discussed. The identification of the new gamma-ray binary...

Open high-level data formats and software for gamma-ray astronomy

In gamma-ray astronomy, a variety of data formats and proprietary software have been traditionally used, often developed for one specific mission or experiment. Especially for ground-based imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs), data and software are mostly private to the collaborations operating the telescopes. However, there is a general movement in science towards the use of open data and software. In addition, the next-generation IACT instrument, the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA), will be operated as an open observatory. We have created a Github organisation at this https URL where we are developing high-level data format specifications. A public mailing list was set up at this https URL and a first face-to-face meeting on the IACT high-level data model and formats took place in April 2016 in Meudon (France). This open multi-mission effort will help to accelerate the development of open data formats and open-source software for gamma-ray astronomy, leading to synergies in the development of analysis codes and eventually better scientific results (reproducible, multi-mission). This write-up presents this effort for the first time, explaining the motivation and context, the available resources and process we use, as well as the status and planned next steps for the data format specifications. We hope that it will stimulate feedback and future contributions from the gamma-ray astronomy community.

Detailed VHE studies of the pulsar wind nebula HESS J1825-137

The pulsar wind nebula (PWN) HESS J1825-137, known to exhibit strong energy dependent morphology, was discovered by HESS in 2005 [1, 2]. Powered by the pulsar PSR B1823-13, the TeV gamma-ray emitting nebula is significantly offset from the pulsar. The asymmetric shape and 21 kyr characteristic age of the pulsar suggest that HESS J1825-137 is in an evolved state, having possibly already undergone reverse shock interactions from the progenitor supernova. Given its large angular extent, despite its 4 kpc distance, it may have the largest intrinsic size of any TeV PWN so far detected. A rich dataset is currently available with H.E.S.S., including H.E.S.S. II data with a low energy threshold, enabling detailed studies of the source properties and environment. We present new views of the changing nature of the PWN with energy, including maps of the region and spectral studies.

Exploring the potential X-ray counterpart of the puzzling TeV gamma-ray source HESS J1507-622 with new Suzaku observations

The unidentified VHE (E>100 GeV) gamma-ray source HESS J1507−622 seems to not fit into standard models for sources related to young supernova remnants, pulsar wind nebulae, or young stellar populations in general. This is due to its intrinsically extended, but yet compact morphology, coupled with a relative large offset (∼3.5◦) from the Galactic plane. Therefore, it has been suggested that this object may be the first representative of a new distinct class of extended off-plane gamma-ray sources. The distance to HESS J1507−622 is the key parameter to constrain the source’s most important properties, such as age and energetics of the relativistic particle population. In this article we report on results of follow-up observations of the potential X-ray counterpart with Suzaku. We present detailed measurements of its spectral parameters and find a high absorbing hydrogen column density, compatible with the total amount of Galactic gas in this direction. In comparisons to measurements and models of the Galactic three-dimensional gas distribution we show that the potential X-ray counterpart of HESS J1507−622 may be located at the far end of the Galaxy. If the gamma-ray source is indeed physically connected to this extended X-ray source, this in turn would place the object outside of the usual distribution of Galactic VHE gamma-ray emitters.

Search for new supernova remnant shells in the Galactic plane with H.E.S.S.

Amongst the population of TeV gamma-ray sources detected with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) in the Galactic plane, clearly identified supernova remnant (SNR) shells constitute a small but precious source class. TeV-selected SNRs are prime candidates for sources of efficient cosmic-ray acceleration. In this work, we present new SNR candidates that have been identified in the entire H.E.S.S. phase I data set of the Galactic plane recorded over the past ten years. Identification with a known SNR shell candidate was successful for one new source, HESS J1534-571. In other cases, TeV-only shell candidates are challenging to firmly identify as SNRs due to their lack of detected non-thermal emission in lower energy bands. We will discuss how these objects may present an important link between young and evolved SNRs, since their shell emission may be dominated by hadronic processes.