MAGIC search for VHE gamma-ray emission from AE Aquarii in a multiwavelength context

(MAGIC Collaboration) Aleksie, J.; Ansoldi, S.; Antonelli, L. A.; Antoranz, P.; Babie, A.; Bangale, P.; Barrio, J. A.; Becerra Gonzalez, J.; Bedriarek, W.; Bernardini, E.; Biasuzzi, B.; Biland, A.; Blanch, O.; Bonnefoy, S.; Bonnoli, G.; Borracci, E.; Bretz, T.; Carmona, E.; Carosi, A.; Colin, P.; Colombo, E.; Contreras, J. L.; Cortina, J.; Covino, S.; Da Vela, P.; Dazzio, F.; De Angelis, A.; De Caneva, G.; De Lotto, B.; Wilhelmi, E. de Ona; Delgado Mendez, C.; Doert, M.; Presters, D. Dominis; Dorner, D.; Doro, M.; Einecke, S.; Eisenacher, D.; Elsaesser, D.; Fonseca, M. V.; Font, L.; Frantzen, K.; Fruck, C.; Galindo, D.; Garczarczyk, M.; Terrats, D. Garrido; Gaug, M.; Godinovie, N.; Gonzalez Munoz, A.; Gozzini, S. R.; Hadasch, D.; Hanabata, Y.; Hayashida, M.; Herrera, J.; Hildebrand, D.; Hose, J.; Hrupec, D.; Idec, W.; Kadenius, V.; Kellermann, H.; Kodani, K.; Konno, Y.; Krause, J.; Kubo, H.; Kushida, J.; La Barbera, A.; Lelas, D.; Lewandowska, N.; Lindfors, E.; Lombardi, S.; Lopez, M.; Lopez-Coto, R.; Lopez-Oramas, A.; Lorenz, E.; Lozano, I.; Makariev, M.; Mallot, K.; Maneva, G.; Mankuzhiyil, N.; Mannheim, K.; Maraschi, L.; Marcote, B.; Martinez, M.; Mazin, D.; Menzel, U.; Miranda, J. M.; Mirzoyan, R.; Moralejo, A.; Munar-Adrover, P.; Niedzwiecki, A.; Nilsson, K.; Nishijima, K.; Noda, K.; Nowak, N.; Orito, R.; Overkemping, A.; Paiano, S.; Palatiello, M.; Paneque, D.; Paoletti, R.; Paredes, J. M.; Moroni, P. G. Prada; Prandinin, E.; Preziuso, S.; Puljak, I.; Reinthal, R.; Rhode, W.; Ribo, M.; Rodriguez Garcia, J.; Ruegamer, S.; Saggion, A.; Saito, T.; Saito, K.; Satalecka, K.; Scalzotto, V.; Scapin, V.; Schultz, C.; Schweizer, T.; Sillanpaa, A.; Sitarek, J.; Snidaric, I.; Sobczynska, D.; Spanier, E.; Stamatescu, V.; Stamerra, A.; Steinbring, T.; Storz, J.; Strzys, M.; Takalo, L.; Takami, H.; Tavecchio, E.; Temnikov, P.; Terzie, T.; Tescaro, D.; Teshima, M.; Thaele, J.; Tibolla, O.; Torres, D. F.; Toyama, T.; Treves, A.; Uellenbeck, M.; Vogler, P.; Wagner, R. M.; Zanin, R.; Ioannou, Z.; Mauche, C. W.; Palaiologou, E. V.; Perez-Torres, M. A.; Tuommen, T.; (2014) MAGIC search for VHE gamma-ray emission from AE Aquarii in a multiwavelength context. Astronomy and Astrophysics, 568 (A109). pp. 1-8. ISSN 0004-6361

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Abstract

Context: The nova-like cataclysmic variable (CV) AE Aquarii (AE Aqr) has been claimed to be a very-high-energy (VHE, E >100 GeV) source both on observational and theoretical grounds. Aims: To search for TeV gamma-ray emission from AE Aqr during different states of the source at several wavelengths and to confirm or rule out previous claims of detection of gamma-ray emission from this object. Methods: We report on observations of AE Aqr performed by MAGIC. The source was observed during 12 hours as a part of a multiwavelength campaign carried out between May and June 2012 covering the optical, X-ray and gamma-ray ranges. Besides MAGIC, the other facilities involved were KVA, Skinakas and Vidojevica telescopes in the optical and Swift in X-rays. Results: AE Aqr was not detected at VHE energies during the multiwavelength campaign. We establish integral upper limits at the 95% confidence level for the steady emission assuming the differential flux proportional to a power-law function dPHI/dE ~ E^(−GAMMA), with a Crab-like photon spectral index of GAMMA=2.6. The upper limit above 200 GeV is 6.4 x 10^(−12) cm^(−2) s^(−1) and above 1 TeV is 7.4 x 10^(−13) cm^(−2) s^(−1). We calculate integral upper limits coincident with different states of the source in the optical. We have also computed upper limits to the pulsed emission limiting the signal region to 30% of the phaseogram and obtaining an upper limit for the pulsed emission of 2.6 x 10^(−12) cm^(−2) s^(−1) for energies above 200 GeV. Finally, we search for pulsed emission at different frequencies applying the Rayleigh test and do not find any significant signal. Conclusions: Our results indicate that AE Aqr is not a very high energy gamma-ray emitter at the level of emission previously claimed. We have established the most constraining upper limits for the TeV gamma-ray emission of AE Aqr.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Accretion: accretion disks; Radiation mechanisms: non-thermal; Novae: cataclysmic variables; Gamma rays: stars
Subjects:	NATURAL SCIENCES > Physics NATURAL SCIENCES > Physics > Astronomy and Astrophysics
Divisions:	Division of Experimental Physics
Depositing User:	Dario Hrupec
Date Deposited:	22 Jan 2015 15:02
URI:	http://fulir.irb.hr/id/eprint/1665
DOI:	10.1051/0004-6361/201424072

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