Abstract

We report on the discovery of >= 100 MeV gamma-rays from the binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 using the Large Area Telescope (LAT) on board Fermi. The system comprises a radio pulsar in orbit around a Be star. We report on LAT observations from near apastron to similar to 128 days after the time of periastron, t(p), on 2010 December 15. No gamma-ray emission was detected from this source when it was far from periastron. Faint gamma-ray emission appeared as the pulsar approached periastron. At similar to t(p) + 30 days, the >= 100 MeV gamma-ray flux increased over a period of a few days to a peak flux 20-30 times that seen during the pre-periastron period, but with a softer spectrum. For the following month, it was seen to be variable on daily timescales, but remained at similar to(1-4) x 10(-6) cm(-2) s(-1) before starting to fade at similar to t(p) + 57 days. The total gamma-ray luminosity observed during this period is comparable to the spin-down power of the pulsar. Simultaneous radio and X-ray observations of the source showed no corresponding dramatic changes in radio and X-ray flux between the pre-periastron and post-periastron flares. We discuss possible explanations for the observed gamma-ray-only flaring of the source.

Autore Pugliese

• Loparco Francesco , Giordano Francesco , Fusco Piergiorgio , Raino' Silvia

Tutti gli autori

• LOPARCO F.;GIORDANO F.;FUSCO P.;RAINO' S.

Titolo volume/Rivista

Non Disponibile

Anno di pubblicazione

2011

ISSN

2041-8205

ISBN

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Numero di citazioni Wos

76

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Numero di citazioni Scopus

98

Ultimo Aggiornamento Citazioni

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Settori ERC

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Codici ASJC

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