W. McConville | Widener University (original) (raw)

Papers by W. McConville

The Astrophysical Journal, 2016

We report the Fermi Large Area Telescope detection of extended γ-ray emission from the lobes of t... more We report the Fermi Large Area Telescope detection of extended γ-ray emission from the lobes of the radio galaxy Fornax A using 6.1 years of Pass 8 data. After Centaurus A, this is now the second example of an extended γ-ray source attributed to a radio galaxy. Both an extended flat disk morphology and a morphology following the extended radio lobes were preferred over a point-source description, and the core contribution was constrained to be < 14% of the total γ-ray flux. A preferred alignment of the γ-ray elongation with the radio lobes was demonstrated by rotating the radio lobes template. We found no significant evidence for variability on ∼ 0.5 year timescales. Taken together, these results strongly suggest a lobe origin for the γ rays. With the extended nature of the > 100 MeV γ-ray emission established, we model the source broadband emission considering currently available total lobe radio and millimeter flux measurements, as well as X-ray detections attributed to inverse Compton (IC) emission off the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Unlike the Centaurus A case, we find that a leptonic model involving IC scattering of CMB and extragalactic background light (EBL) photons underpredicts the γ-ray fluxes by factors of about ∼ 2 − 3, depending on the EBL model adopted. An additional γ-ray spectral component is thus required, and could be due to hadronic emission arising from proton-proton collisions of cosmic rays with thermal plasma within the radio lobes.

Nature, 2006

Frustration, defined as a competition between interactions such that not all of them can be satis... more Frustration, defined as a competition between interactions such that not all of them can be satisfied, is important in systems ranging from neural networks to structural glasses. Geometrical frustration, which arises from the topology of a well-ordered structure rather than from disorder, has recently become a topic of considerable interest 1 . In particular, geometrical frustration among spins in magnetic materials can lead to exotic lowtemperature states 2 , including 'spin ice', in which the local moments mimic the frustration of hydrogen ion positions in frozen water 3-6 . Here we report an artificial geometrically frustrated magnet based on an array of lithographically fabricated single-domain ferromagnetic islands. The islands are arranged such that the dipole interactions create a two-dimensional analogue to spin ice. Images of the magnetic moments of individual elements in this correlated system allow us to study the local accommodation of frustration. We see both ice-like short-range correlations and an absence of long-range correlations, behaviour which is strikingly similar to the low-temperature state of spin ice. These results demonstrate that artificial frustrated magnets can provide an uncharted arena in which the physics of frustration can be directly visualized.

Science (New York, N.Y.), Jan 7, 2010

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected the gamma-ray glow emanating from the giant radi... more The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected the gamma-ray glow emanating from the giant radio lobes of the radio galaxy Centaurus A. The resolved gamma-ray image shows the lobes clearly separated from the central active source. In contrast to all other active galaxies detected so far in high-energy gamma-rays, the lobe flux constitutes a considerable portion (greater than one-half) of the total source emission. The gamma-ray emission from the lobes is interpreted as inverse Compton-scattered relic radiation from the cosmic microwave background, with additional contribution at higher energies from the infrared-to-optical extragalactic background light. These measurements provide gamma-ray constraints on the magnetic field and particle energy content in radio galaxy lobes, as well as a promising method to probe the cosmic relic photon fields.

The Astrophysical Journal, 2009

We report the Fermi-LAT discovery of high-energy (MeV/GeV) γ-ray emission positionally consistent... more We report the Fermi-LAT discovery of high-energy (MeV/GeV) γ-ray emission positionally consistent with the center of the radio galaxy M87, at a source significance of over 10σ in ten-months of all-sky survey data. Following the detections of Cen A and Per A, this makes M87 the third radio galaxy seen with the LAT. The faint point-like γ-ray source has a >100 MeV flux of 2.45 (±0.63) × 10 −8 ph cm −2 s −1 (photon index = 2.26 ± 0.13) with no significant variability detected within the LAT observation. This flux is comparable with the previous EGRET upper limit (< 2.18 × 10 −8 ph cm −2 s −1 , 2σ), thus there is no evidence for a significant MeV/GeV flare on decade timescales. Contemporaneous Chandra and VLBA data indicate low activity in the unresolved X-ray and radio core relative to previous observations, suggesting M87 is in a quiescent overall level over the first year of Fermi-LAT observations. The LAT γ-ray spectrum is modeled as synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission from the electron population producing the radio-to-X-ray emission in the core. The resultant SSC spectrum extrapolates smoothly from the LAT band to the historical-minimum TeV emission. Alternative models for the core and possible contributions from the kiloparsec-scale jet in M87 are considered, and can not be excluded.

The Astrophysical Journal, 2011

We report Fermi/LAT observations and broad-band spectral modeling of the radioloud active galaxy ... more We report Fermi/LAT observations and broad-band spectral modeling of the radioloud active galaxy 4C +55.17 (z=0.896), formally classified as a flat-spectrum radio quasar. Using 19 months of all-sky survey Fermi/LAT data, we detect a γ-ray continuum extending up to an observed energy of 145 GeV, and furthermore we find no evidence of γ-ray variability in the source over its observed history. We illustrate the implications of these results in two different domains. First, we investigate the origin of the steady γ-ray emission, where we re-examine the common classification of 4C +55.17 as a quasar-hosted blazar and consider instead its possible nature as a young radio source. We analyze and compare constraints on the source physical parameters in both blazar and young radio source scenarios by means of a detailed multiwavelength analysis and theoretical modeling of its broad-band spectrum. Secondly, we show that the γ-ray spectrum may be formally extrapolated into the very-high energy (VHE; ≥ 100 GeV) range at a flux level detectable by the current generation of ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. This enables us to place constraints on models of extragalactic background light (EBL) within LAT energies and features the source as a promising candidate for VHE studies of the Universe at an unprecedented redshift of z=0.896.

The Astrophysical Journal, 2012

The giant radio galaxy M 87 with its proximity (16 Mpc), famous jet, and very massive black hole ... more The giant radio galaxy M 87 with its proximity (16 Mpc), famous jet, and very massive black hole ((3 − 6) × 10 9 M ) provides a unique opportunity to investigate the origin of very high energy (VHE; E>100 GeV) γ-ray emission generated in relativistic outflows and the surroundings of super-massive black holes. M 87 has been established as a VHE γ-ray emitter since 2006. The VHE γ-ray emission displays strong variability on timescales as short as a day. In this paper, results from a joint VHE monitoring campaign on M 87 by the MAGIC and VERITAS instruments in 2010 are reported. During the campaign, a flare at VHE was detected arXiv:1111.5341v1 [astro-ph.CO]

The Astrophysical Journal, 2010

APS April Meeting 2015, abstract id. X14.001, 2015

Prior to the launch of Fermi in 2008, the radio galaxy Fornax A was identified as one of the few ... more Prior to the launch of Fermi in 2008, the radio galaxy Fornax A was identified as one of the few extragalactic objects that might be detected as spatially extended above 100 MeV. However, even though it was detected with high confidence in the first 2 years of the mission, it was not determined to be an extended source. Recently, the Fermi-LAT collaboration developed a new event-level analysis called Pass 8 which yields a larger acceptance, a better angular and energy resolution, as well as smaller systematic uncertainties. The improvements provided with Pass 8 combined with a longer exposure means that the spatial extension of Fornax A is significantly detected, making it only the second extragalactic gamma-ray source so far to show extent. Details of this measurement will be presented along with modeling of the emission above 100 MeV.

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, id.149.14, 2012

In the standard ground-based processing of Fermi LAT data, a detailed fit is done for each photon... more In the standard ground-based processing of Fermi LAT data, a detailed fit is done for each photon event. In addition to the best estimate of the direction, this also provides an estimate of the two-dimensional errors. Although this event-by-event error information in basic form has been included in the standard data release, it has not yet been utilized in science analysis because more development work is required. We show here the characteristics of these covariant errors when projected back onto the sky and discuss the potential science returns, including source finding, localization, and image analysis.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2014

ABSTRACT We investigate the nature and classification of PMNJ1603-4904, a bright radio source clo... more ABSTRACT We investigate the nature and classification of PMNJ1603-4904, a bright radio source close to the Galactic plane, which is associated with one of the brightest hard-spectrum gamma-ray sources detected by Fermi/LAT. It has previously been classified as a low-peaked BL Lac object based on its broadband emission and the absence of optical emission lines. Optical measurements, however, suffer strongly from extinction and the absence of pronounced short-time gamma-ray variability over years of monitoring is unusual for a blazar. We are combining new and archival multiwavelength data in order to reconsider the classification and nature of this unusual gamma-ray source. For the first time, we study the radio morphology at 8.4GHz and 22.3GHz, and its spectral properties on milliarcsecond (mas) scales, based on VLBI observations from the TANAMI program. We combine the resulting images with multiwavelength data in the radio, IR, optical/UV, X-ray, and gamma-ray regimes. PMNJ1603-4904 shows a symmetric brightness distribution at 8.4GHz on mas-scales, with the brightest, and most compact component in the center of the emission region. The morphology is reminiscent of a Compact Symmetric Object (CSO). Such objects have been predicted to produce gamma-ray emission but have not been detected as a class by Fermi/LAT so far. Sparse (u, v)-coverage at 22.3GHz prevents an unambiguous modeling of the source morphology. IR measurements reveal an excess in the spectral energy distribution (SED), which can be modeled with a blackbody with a temperature of about 1600K, and which is usually not present in blazar SEDs. The VLBI data and the shape of the SED challenge the current blazar classification. PMNJ1603-4904 seems to be either a highly peculiar BL Lac object or a misaligned jet source. In the latter case, the intriguing VLBI structure opens room for a possible classification as a gamma-ray bright CSO.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2015

ABSTRACT Multiwavelength observations have revealed the highly unusual properties of the gamma-ra... more ABSTRACT Multiwavelength observations have revealed the highly unusual properties of the gamma-ray source PMN J1603-4904, which are difficult to reconcile with any other well established gamma-ray source class. The object is either a very atypical blazar or compact jet source seen at a larger angle to the line of sight. In order to determine the physical origin of the high-energy emission processes in PMN J1603-4904, we study the X-ray spectrum in detail. We performed quasi-simultaneous X-ray observations with XMM-Newton and Suzaku in 2013 September, resulting in the first high signal-to-noise X-ray spectrum of this source. The 2-10 keV X-ray spectrum can be well described by an absorbed power law with an emission line at 5.44$\pm$0.05 keV (observed frame). Interpreting this feature as a K{\alpha} line from neutral iron, we determine the redshift of PMN J1603-4904 to be z=0.18$\pm$0.01, corresponding to a luminosity distance of 872$\pm$54 Mpc. The detection of a redshifted X-ray emission line further challenges the original BL Lac classification of PMN J1603-4904. This result suggests that the source is observed at a larger angle to the line of sight than expected for blazars, and thus the source would add to the elusive class of gamma-ray loud misaligned-jet objects, possibly a {\gamma}-ray bright young radio galaxy.

Science (New York, N.Y.), Jan 14, 2009

We report the detection of gamma-ray emissions above 200 megaelectron volts at a significance lev... more We report the detection of gamma-ray emissions above 200 megaelectron volts at a significance level of 17sigma from the globular cluster 47 Tucanae, using data obtained with the Large Area Telescope onboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Globular clusters are expected to emit gamma rays because of the large populations of millisecond pulsars that they contain. The spectral shape of 47 Tucanae is consistent with gamma-ray emission from a population of millisecond pulsars. The observed gamma-ray luminosity implies an upper limit of 60 millisecond pulsars present in 47 Tucanae.

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2010

Context. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is to date the only normal external galaxy that has bee... more Context. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is to date the only normal external galaxy that has been detected in high-energy gamma rays. Highenergy gamma rays trace particle acceleration processes and gamma-ray observations allow the nature and sites of acceleration to be studied. Aims. We characterise the distribution and sources of cosmic rays in the LMC from analysis of gamma-ray observations. Methods. We analyse 11 months of continuous sky-survey observations obtained with the Large Area Telescope aboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope and compare it to tracers of the interstellar medium and models of the gamma-ray sources in the LMC. Results. The LMC is detected at 33σ significance. The integrated >100 MeV photon flux of the LMC amounts to (2.6 ± 0.2) × 10 −7 ph cm −2 s −1 which corresponds to an energy flux of (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10 −10 erg cm −2 s −1 , with additional systematic uncertainties of < ∼ 16%. The analysis reveals the massive star forming region 30 Doradus as a bright source of gamma-ray emission in the LMC in addition to fainter emission regions found in the northern part of the galaxy. The gamma-ray emission from the LMC shows very little correlation with gas density and is rather correlated to tracers of massive star forming regions. The close confinement of gamma-ray emission to star forming regions suggests a relatively short GeV cosmic-ray proton diffusion length. Conclusions. The close correlation between cosmic-ray density and massive star tracers supports the idea that cosmic rays are accelerated in massive star forming regions as a result of the large amounts of kinetic energy that are input by the stellar winds and supernova explosions of massive stars into the interstellar medium.

The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 2010

We present the second catalog of high-energy γ -ray sources detected by the Large Area Telescope ... more We present the second catalog of high-energy γ -ray sources detected by the Large Area Telescope (LAT), the primary science instrument on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi), derived from data taken during the first 24 months of the science phase of the mission, which began on 2008 August 4. Source detection is based on the average flux over the 24 month period. The second Fermi-LAT catalog (2FGL) includes source location regions, defined in terms of elliptical fits to the 95% confidence regions and spectral fits in terms of power-law, exponentially cutoff power-law, or log-normal forms. Also included are flux measurements in five energy bands and light curves on monthly intervals for each source. Twelve sources in the catalog are modeled as spatially extended. We provide a detailed comparison of the results from this catalog with those from the first Fermi-LAT catalog (1FGL). Although the diffuse Galactic and isotropic models used in the 2FGL analysis are improved compared to the 1FGL catalog, we attach caution flags to 162 of the sources to indicate possible confusion with residual imperfections in the diffuse model. The 2FGL catalog contains 1873 sources detected and characterized in the 100 MeV to 100 GeV range of which we consider 127 as being firmly identified and 1171 as being reliably associated with counterparts of known or likely γ -ray-producing source classes.

Abstract This paper presents a catalog of high-energy gamma-ray sources detected, in the 100MeV-1... more Abstract This paper presents a catalog of high-energy gamma-ray sources detected, in the 100MeV-100GeV energy range, in the first two years of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope mission by the Large Area Telescope (LAT), during the period 2008 August 4 (15: 43 UTC)-2010 August 1 (01: 17 UTC).

We report on a detailed investigation of the γ-ray emission from 18 broad line radio galaxies (B... more We report on a detailed investigation of the γ-ray emission from 18 broad line radio galaxies (BLRGs) based on two years of Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) data. We confirm the previously reported detections of 3C 120 and 3C 111 in the GeV photon energy range; a detailed look at the temporal characteristics of the observed γ-ray emission reveals in

The Astrophysical Journal, 2009

We report the discovery by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Teles... more We report the discovery by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope of high-energy γ -ray (GeV) emission from the flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1454−354 (z = 1.424). On 2008 September 4, the source rose to a peak flux of (3.5 ± 0.7) × 10 −6 ph cm −2 s −1 (E > 100 MeV) on a timescale of hours and then slowly dropped over the following 2 days. No significant spectral changes occurred during the flare. Fermi/LAT observations also showed that PKS 1454−354 is the most probable counterpart of the unidentified EGRET source 3EG J1500−3509. Multiwavelength measurements performed during the following days (7 September with Swift; 6-7 September with the ground-based optical telescope Automated Telescope for Optical Monitoring; 13 September with the Australia Telescope Compact Array) resulted in radio, optical, UV, and X-ray fluxes greater than archival data, confirming the activity of PKS 1454−354.

The Astrophysical Journal, 2016

We report the Fermi Large Area Telescope detection of extended γ-ray emission from the lobes of t... more We report the Fermi Large Area Telescope detection of extended γ-ray emission from the lobes of the radio galaxy Fornax A using 6.1 years of Pass 8 data. After Centaurus A, this is now the second example of an extended γ-ray source attributed to a radio galaxy. Both an extended flat disk morphology and a morphology following the extended radio lobes were preferred over a point-source description, and the core contribution was constrained to be < 14% of the total γ-ray flux. A preferred alignment of the γ-ray elongation with the radio lobes was demonstrated by rotating the radio lobes template. We found no significant evidence for variability on ∼ 0.5 year timescales. Taken together, these results strongly suggest a lobe origin for the γ rays. With the extended nature of the > 100 MeV γ-ray emission established, we model the source broadband emission considering currently available total lobe radio and millimeter flux measurements, as well as X-ray detections attributed to inverse Compton (IC) emission off the cosmic microwave background (CMB). Unlike the Centaurus A case, we find that a leptonic model involving IC scattering of CMB and extragalactic background light (EBL) photons underpredicts the γ-ray fluxes by factors of about ∼ 2 − 3, depending on the EBL model adopted. An additional γ-ray spectral component is thus required, and could be due to hadronic emission arising from proton-proton collisions of cosmic rays with thermal plasma within the radio lobes.

Nature, 2006

Frustration, defined as a competition between interactions such that not all of them can be satis... more Frustration, defined as a competition between interactions such that not all of them can be satisfied, is important in systems ranging from neural networks to structural glasses. Geometrical frustration, which arises from the topology of a well-ordered structure rather than from disorder, has recently become a topic of considerable interest 1 . In particular, geometrical frustration among spins in magnetic materials can lead to exotic lowtemperature states 2 , including 'spin ice', in which the local moments mimic the frustration of hydrogen ion positions in frozen water 3-6 . Here we report an artificial geometrically frustrated magnet based on an array of lithographically fabricated single-domain ferromagnetic islands. The islands are arranged such that the dipole interactions create a two-dimensional analogue to spin ice. Images of the magnetic moments of individual elements in this correlated system allow us to study the local accommodation of frustration. We see both ice-like short-range correlations and an absence of long-range correlations, behaviour which is strikingly similar to the low-temperature state of spin ice. These results demonstrate that artificial frustrated magnets can provide an uncharted arena in which the physics of frustration can be directly visualized.

Science (New York, N.Y.), Jan 7, 2010

The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected the gamma-ray glow emanating from the giant radi... more The Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope has detected the gamma-ray glow emanating from the giant radio lobes of the radio galaxy Centaurus A. The resolved gamma-ray image shows the lobes clearly separated from the central active source. In contrast to all other active galaxies detected so far in high-energy gamma-rays, the lobe flux constitutes a considerable portion (greater than one-half) of the total source emission. The gamma-ray emission from the lobes is interpreted as inverse Compton-scattered relic radiation from the cosmic microwave background, with additional contribution at higher energies from the infrared-to-optical extragalactic background light. These measurements provide gamma-ray constraints on the magnetic field and particle energy content in radio galaxy lobes, as well as a promising method to probe the cosmic relic photon fields.

The Astrophysical Journal, 2009

We report the Fermi-LAT discovery of high-energy (MeV/GeV) γ-ray emission positionally consistent... more We report the Fermi-LAT discovery of high-energy (MeV/GeV) γ-ray emission positionally consistent with the center of the radio galaxy M87, at a source significance of over 10σ in ten-months of all-sky survey data. Following the detections of Cen A and Per A, this makes M87 the third radio galaxy seen with the LAT. The faint point-like γ-ray source has a >100 MeV flux of 2.45 (±0.63) × 10 −8 ph cm −2 s −1 (photon index = 2.26 ± 0.13) with no significant variability detected within the LAT observation. This flux is comparable with the previous EGRET upper limit (< 2.18 × 10 −8 ph cm −2 s −1 , 2σ), thus there is no evidence for a significant MeV/GeV flare on decade timescales. Contemporaneous Chandra and VLBA data indicate low activity in the unresolved X-ray and radio core relative to previous observations, suggesting M87 is in a quiescent overall level over the first year of Fermi-LAT observations. The LAT γ-ray spectrum is modeled as synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission from the electron population producing the radio-to-X-ray emission in the core. The resultant SSC spectrum extrapolates smoothly from the LAT band to the historical-minimum TeV emission. Alternative models for the core and possible contributions from the kiloparsec-scale jet in M87 are considered, and can not be excluded.

The Astrophysical Journal, 2011

We report Fermi/LAT observations and broad-band spectral modeling of the radioloud active galaxy ... more We report Fermi/LAT observations and broad-band spectral modeling of the radioloud active galaxy 4C +55.17 (z=0.896), formally classified as a flat-spectrum radio quasar. Using 19 months of all-sky survey Fermi/LAT data, we detect a γ-ray continuum extending up to an observed energy of 145 GeV, and furthermore we find no evidence of γ-ray variability in the source over its observed history. We illustrate the implications of these results in two different domains. First, we investigate the origin of the steady γ-ray emission, where we re-examine the common classification of 4C +55.17 as a quasar-hosted blazar and consider instead its possible nature as a young radio source. We analyze and compare constraints on the source physical parameters in both blazar and young radio source scenarios by means of a detailed multiwavelength analysis and theoretical modeling of its broad-band spectrum. Secondly, we show that the γ-ray spectrum may be formally extrapolated into the very-high energy (VHE; ≥ 100 GeV) range at a flux level detectable by the current generation of ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. This enables us to place constraints on models of extragalactic background light (EBL) within LAT energies and features the source as a promising candidate for VHE studies of the Universe at an unprecedented redshift of z=0.896.

The Astrophysical Journal, 2012

The giant radio galaxy M 87 with its proximity (16 Mpc), famous jet, and very massive black hole ... more The giant radio galaxy M 87 with its proximity (16 Mpc), famous jet, and very massive black hole ((3 − 6) × 10 9 M ) provides a unique opportunity to investigate the origin of very high energy (VHE; E>100 GeV) γ-ray emission generated in relativistic outflows and the surroundings of super-massive black holes. M 87 has been established as a VHE γ-ray emitter since 2006. The VHE γ-ray emission displays strong variability on timescales as short as a day. In this paper, results from a joint VHE monitoring campaign on M 87 by the MAGIC and VERITAS instruments in 2010 are reported. During the campaign, a flare at VHE was detected arXiv:1111.5341v1 [astro-ph.CO]

The Astrophysical Journal, 2010

APS April Meeting 2015, abstract id. X14.001, 2015

Prior to the launch of Fermi in 2008, the radio galaxy Fornax A was identified as one of the few ... more Prior to the launch of Fermi in 2008, the radio galaxy Fornax A was identified as one of the few extragalactic objects that might be detected as spatially extended above 100 MeV. However, even though it was detected with high confidence in the first 2 years of the mission, it was not determined to be an extended source. Recently, the Fermi-LAT collaboration developed a new event-level analysis called Pass 8 which yields a larger acceptance, a better angular and energy resolution, as well as smaller systematic uncertainties. The improvements provided with Pass 8 combined with a longer exposure means that the spatial extension of Fornax A is significantly detected, making it only the second extragalactic gamma-ray source so far to show extent. Details of this measurement will be presented along with modeling of the emission above 100 MeV.

American Astronomical Society, AAS Meeting #219, id.149.14, 2012

In the standard ground-based processing of Fermi LAT data, a detailed fit is done for each photon... more In the standard ground-based processing of Fermi LAT data, a detailed fit is done for each photon event. In addition to the best estimate of the direction, this also provides an estimate of the two-dimensional errors. Although this event-by-event error information in basic form has been included in the standard data release, it has not yet been utilized in science analysis because more development work is required. We show here the characteristics of these covariant errors when projected back onto the sky and discuss the potential science returns, including source finding, localization, and image analysis.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2014

ABSTRACT We investigate the nature and classification of PMNJ1603-4904, a bright radio source clo... more ABSTRACT We investigate the nature and classification of PMNJ1603-4904, a bright radio source close to the Galactic plane, which is associated with one of the brightest hard-spectrum gamma-ray sources detected by Fermi/LAT. It has previously been classified as a low-peaked BL Lac object based on its broadband emission and the absence of optical emission lines. Optical measurements, however, suffer strongly from extinction and the absence of pronounced short-time gamma-ray variability over years of monitoring is unusual for a blazar. We are combining new and archival multiwavelength data in order to reconsider the classification and nature of this unusual gamma-ray source. For the first time, we study the radio morphology at 8.4GHz and 22.3GHz, and its spectral properties on milliarcsecond (mas) scales, based on VLBI observations from the TANAMI program. We combine the resulting images with multiwavelength data in the radio, IR, optical/UV, X-ray, and gamma-ray regimes. PMNJ1603-4904 shows a symmetric brightness distribution at 8.4GHz on mas-scales, with the brightest, and most compact component in the center of the emission region. The morphology is reminiscent of a Compact Symmetric Object (CSO). Such objects have been predicted to produce gamma-ray emission but have not been detected as a class by Fermi/LAT so far. Sparse (u, v)-coverage at 22.3GHz prevents an unambiguous modeling of the source morphology. IR measurements reveal an excess in the spectral energy distribution (SED), which can be modeled with a blackbody with a temperature of about 1600K, and which is usually not present in blazar SEDs. The VLBI data and the shape of the SED challenge the current blazar classification. PMNJ1603-4904 seems to be either a highly peculiar BL Lac object or a misaligned jet source. In the latter case, the intriguing VLBI structure opens room for a possible classification as a gamma-ray bright CSO.

Astronomy & Astrophysics, 2015

ABSTRACT Multiwavelength observations have revealed the highly unusual properties of the gamma-ra... more ABSTRACT Multiwavelength observations have revealed the highly unusual properties of the gamma-ray source PMN J1603-4904, which are difficult to reconcile with any other well established gamma-ray source class. The object is either a very atypical blazar or compact jet source seen at a larger angle to the line of sight. In order to determine the physical origin of the high-energy emission processes in PMN J1603-4904, we study the X-ray spectrum in detail. We performed quasi-simultaneous X-ray observations with XMM-Newton and Suzaku in 2013 September, resulting in the first high signal-to-noise X-ray spectrum of this source. The 2-10 keV X-ray spectrum can be well described by an absorbed power law with an emission line at 5.44$\pm$0.05 keV (observed frame). Interpreting this feature as a K{\alpha} line from neutral iron, we determine the redshift of PMN J1603-4904 to be z=0.18$\pm$0.01, corresponding to a luminosity distance of 872$\pm$54 Mpc. The detection of a redshifted X-ray emission line further challenges the original BL Lac classification of PMN J1603-4904. This result suggests that the source is observed at a larger angle to the line of sight than expected for blazars, and thus the source would add to the elusive class of gamma-ray loud misaligned-jet objects, possibly a {\gamma}-ray bright young radio galaxy.

Science (New York, N.Y.), Jan 14, 2009

We report the detection of gamma-ray emissions above 200 megaelectron volts at a significance lev... more We report the detection of gamma-ray emissions above 200 megaelectron volts at a significance level of 17sigma from the globular cluster 47 Tucanae, using data obtained with the Large Area Telescope onboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Globular clusters are expected to emit gamma rays because of the large populations of millisecond pulsars that they contain. The spectral shape of 47 Tucanae is consistent with gamma-ray emission from a population of millisecond pulsars. The observed gamma-ray luminosity implies an upper limit of 60 millisecond pulsars present in 47 Tucanae.

Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2010

Context. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is to date the only normal external galaxy that has bee... more Context. The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) is to date the only normal external galaxy that has been detected in high-energy gamma rays. Highenergy gamma rays trace particle acceleration processes and gamma-ray observations allow the nature and sites of acceleration to be studied. Aims. We characterise the distribution and sources of cosmic rays in the LMC from analysis of gamma-ray observations. Methods. We analyse 11 months of continuous sky-survey observations obtained with the Large Area Telescope aboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope and compare it to tracers of the interstellar medium and models of the gamma-ray sources in the LMC. Results. The LMC is detected at 33σ significance. The integrated >100 MeV photon flux of the LMC amounts to (2.6 ± 0.2) × 10 −7 ph cm −2 s −1 which corresponds to an energy flux of (1.6 ± 0.1) × 10 −10 erg cm −2 s −1 , with additional systematic uncertainties of < ∼ 16%. The analysis reveals the massive star forming region 30 Doradus as a bright source of gamma-ray emission in the LMC in addition to fainter emission regions found in the northern part of the galaxy. The gamma-ray emission from the LMC shows very little correlation with gas density and is rather correlated to tracers of massive star forming regions. The close confinement of gamma-ray emission to star forming regions suggests a relatively short GeV cosmic-ray proton diffusion length. Conclusions. The close correlation between cosmic-ray density and massive star tracers supports the idea that cosmic rays are accelerated in massive star forming regions as a result of the large amounts of kinetic energy that are input by the stellar winds and supernova explosions of massive stars into the interstellar medium.

The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series, 2010

We present the second catalog of high-energy γ -ray sources detected by the Large Area Telescope ... more We present the second catalog of high-energy γ -ray sources detected by the Large Area Telescope (LAT), the primary science instrument on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (Fermi), derived from data taken during the first 24 months of the science phase of the mission, which began on 2008 August 4. Source detection is based on the average flux over the 24 month period. The second Fermi-LAT catalog (2FGL) includes source location regions, defined in terms of elliptical fits to the 95% confidence regions and spectral fits in terms of power-law, exponentially cutoff power-law, or log-normal forms. Also included are flux measurements in five energy bands and light curves on monthly intervals for each source. Twelve sources in the catalog are modeled as spatially extended. We provide a detailed comparison of the results from this catalog with those from the first Fermi-LAT catalog (1FGL). Although the diffuse Galactic and isotropic models used in the 2FGL analysis are improved compared to the 1FGL catalog, we attach caution flags to 162 of the sources to indicate possible confusion with residual imperfections in the diffuse model. The 2FGL catalog contains 1873 sources detected and characterized in the 100 MeV to 100 GeV range of which we consider 127 as being firmly identified and 1171 as being reliably associated with counterparts of known or likely γ -ray-producing source classes.

Abstract This paper presents a catalog of high-energy gamma-ray sources detected, in the 100MeV-1... more Abstract This paper presents a catalog of high-energy gamma-ray sources detected, in the 100MeV-100GeV energy range, in the first two years of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope mission by the Large Area Telescope (LAT), during the period 2008 August 4 (15: 43 UTC)-2010 August 1 (01: 17 UTC).

We report on a detailed investigation of the γ-ray emission from 18 broad line radio galaxies (B... more We report on a detailed investigation of the γ-ray emission from 18 broad line radio galaxies (BLRGs) based on two years of Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) data. We confirm the previously reported detections of 3C 120 and 3C 111 in the GeV photon energy range; a detailed look at the temporal characteristics of the observed γ-ray emission reveals in

The Astrophysical Journal, 2009

We report the discovery by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Teles... more We report the discovery by the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope of high-energy γ -ray (GeV) emission from the flat-spectrum radio quasar PKS 1454−354 (z = 1.424). On 2008 September 4, the source rose to a peak flux of (3.5 ± 0.7) × 10 −6 ph cm −2 s −1 (E > 100 MeV) on a timescale of hours and then slowly dropped over the following 2 days. No significant spectral changes occurred during the flare. Fermi/LAT observations also showed that PKS 1454−354 is the most probable counterpart of the unidentified EGRET source 3EG J1500−3509. Multiwavelength measurements performed during the following days (7 September with Swift; 6-7 September with the ground-based optical telescope Automated Telescope for Optical Monitoring; 13 September with the Australia Telescope Compact Array) resulted in radio, optical, UV, and X-ray fluxes greater than archival data, confirming the activity of PKS 1454−354.