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.
Detection of Gamma-Ray Emission from the Eta-Carinae Region / Tavani M; Sabatini S; Pian E; Bulgarelli A; Caraveo P; Viotti R F; Corcoran M F; Giuliani A; Pittori C; Verrecchia F; Vercellone S; Mereghetti S; Argan A; Barbiellini G; Boffelli F; Cattaneo P W; Chen A W; Cocco V; DAmmando F; Costa E; DeParis G; Del Monte E; Di Cocco G; Donnarumma I; Evangelista Y; Ferrari A; Feroci M; Fiorini M; Froysland T; Fuschino F; Galli M; Gianotti F; Labanti C; Lapshov I; Lazzarotto F; Lipari P; Longo F; Marisaldi M; Mastropietro M; Morelli E; Moretti E; Morselli A; Pacciani L; Pellizzoni A; Perotti F; Piano G; Picozza P; Pilia M; Porrovecchio G; Pucella G; Prest M; Rapisarda M; Rappoldi A; Rubini A; Soffitta P; Trifoglio M; Trois A; Vallazza E; Vittorini V; Zambra A; Zanello D; Santolamazza P; Giommi P; Colafrancesco S; Antonelli L A; Salotti L. - In: THE ASTROPHYSICAL JOURNAL LETTERS. - ISSN 2041-8205. - STAMPA. - 698:2(2009), pp. 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.
