Multiwavelength Observations of a Flare from Markarian 501

Abstract

We present multiwavelength observations of the BL Lacertae object Markarian 501 (Mrk 501) in 1997 between April 8 and April 19. Evidence of correlated variability is seen in very high energy (VHE; E * 350 GeV) gray observations taken with the Whipple Observatory g-ray telescope, data from the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory , and quick-look results from the All-Sky Monitor of the Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer , while EGRET did not detect Mrk 501. Short-term optical correlations are not conclusive, but the U-band flux observed with the 1.2 m telescope of the Whipple Observatory was 10% higher than in March. The average energy output of Mrk 501 appears to peak in the 2‐100 keV range, which suggests an extension of the synchrotron emission to at least 100 keV, the highest observed in a blazar and »100 times higher than that seen in the other TeV-emitting BL Lac object, Mrk 421. The VHE g-ray flux observed during this period is the highest ever detected from this object. The VHE g-ray energy output is somewhat lower than the 2‐100 keV range, but the variability amplitude is larger. The correlations seen here do not require relativistic beaming of the emission unless the VHE spectrum extends to *5 TeV.