We present the results of extensive observations by the gamma-ray AGILE satellite of the Galactic region hosting the Carina nebula and the remarkable colliding wind binary Eta Carinae (η Car) during the period 2007 July-2009 January. We detect a gamma-ray source (1AGL J1043-5931) consistent with the position of η Car. If 1AGL J1043-5931 is associated with the Car system, our data provide the long sought first detection above 100 MeV of a colliding wind binary. The average gamma-ray flux above 100 MeV and integrated over the preperiastron period 2007 July-2008 October is F γ = (37 ± 5) × 10-8 ph cm-2 s-1 corresponding to an average gamma-ray luminosity of L γ = 3.4 × 1034 erg s-1 for a distance of 2.3 kpc. We also report a two-day gamma-ray flaring episode of 1AGL J1043-5931 on 2008 October 11-13 possibly related to a transient acceleration and radiation episode of the strongly variable shock in the system.
Tavani M, Sabatini S, Pian E, Bulgarelli A, Caraveo P, Viotti R F, et al. (2009). Detection of Gamma-Ray Emission from the Eta-Carinae Region. THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS, 698(2), 142-146 [10.1088/0004-637X/698/2/L142].
Detection of Gamma-Ray Emission from the Eta-Carinae Region
D'AMMANDO, FILIPPO;
2009
Abstract
We present the results of extensive observations by the gamma-ray AGILE satellite of the Galactic region hosting the Carina nebula and the remarkable colliding wind binary Eta Carinae (η Car) during the period 2007 July-2009 January. We detect a gamma-ray source (1AGL J1043-5931) consistent with the position of η Car. If 1AGL J1043-5931 is associated with the Car system, our data provide the long sought first detection above 100 MeV of a colliding wind binary. The average gamma-ray flux above 100 MeV and integrated over the preperiastron period 2007 July-2008 October is F γ = (37 ± 5) × 10-8 ph cm-2 s-1 corresponding to an average gamma-ray luminosity of L γ = 3.4 × 1034 erg s-1 for a distance of 2.3 kpc. We also report a two-day gamma-ray flaring episode of 1AGL J1043-5931 on 2008 October 11-13 possibly related to a transient acceleration and radiation episode of the strongly variable shock in the system.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
