Fermi-LAT Research Articles

PKS 2332–017 and PMN J1916–1519: Candidate Blazar Counterparts to Two High-energy Neutrino Events

Abstract We report our counterpart identification study for two high-energy neutrino events IC-130127A and IC-131204A listed in the IceCube Event Catalog of Alert Tracks. These two events belong to Gold alerts, which have a significant probability of being of astrophysical origin. Within the events’ 90% positional uncertainty regions, we, respectively, find PKS 2332–017 and PMN J1916–1519. The first source is a flat-spectrum radio quasar at redshift z = 1.18, and the second is a blazar of an uncertain type with photometric z = 0.968. As they correspondingly had a γ-ray flare temporally coincident with the arrival times of IC-130127A and IC-131204A, we identify them as the respective neutrino emitters. Detailed analysis of the γ-ray data for the two blazars, obtained with the Large Area Telescope onboard the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, is conducted. The two flares, respectively, from PKS 2332–017 and PMN J1916–1519 lasted ~4 yr and ~4 months and showed possible emission hardening by containing high-energy ~2–10 GeV photons in the emissions. Accompanying the flare of PKS 2332–017, optical and mid-infrared brightening variations were also observed. We discuss the properties of the two sources and compare the properties with those of the previously reported (candidate) neutrino-emitting blazars.

Analysis of Gamma-Ray Burst Closure Relationship in Multiple Wavelengths

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are intense pulses of high-energy emission associated with the death of massive stars or compact objects’ coalescence. Their multiwavelength observations help verify the reliability of the standard fireball model. We analyze 14 GRBs observed contemporaneously in gamma rays by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, in X-rays by the Swift Telescope, and in the optical bands by Swift and many ground-based telescopes. We study the correlation between the spectral and temporal indices using closure relations according to the synchrotron forward-shock model in a stratified medium (n ∝ r −k ) with k ranging from 0 to 2.5. We find that the model without energy injection is preferred over the one with energy injection in all the investigated wavelengths. In gamma rays, we only explored the ν > max{ν c , ν m } (slow cooling, SC/fast cooling, FC) cooling condition (where ν c and ν m are the cooling and characteristic frequencies, namely the frequencies at the spectral break). In the X-ray and optical bands, we explored all the cooling conditions, including ν m < ν < ν c (SC), ν c < ν < ν m (FC), and SC/FC, and found a clear preference for SC for X-rays and SC/FC for optical. Within these cooling conditions, X-rays exhibit the highest rate of occurrence for the density profile with k = 0, while the optical band has the highest occurrence for k = 2.5 when considering no energy injection. Although we can pinpoint a definite environment for some GRBs, we find degeneracies in other GRBs.

Multi-wavelength picture of the misaligned BL Lac object 3C 371

The BL Lac object 3C 371 is one of the targets regularly monitored by the Whole-Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT), a collaboration of observers studying blazar variability on both short and long timescales. We aim to evaluate the long-term multi-wavelength (MWL) behaviour of 3C 371, comparing it with results derived from its optical emission in our previous study. For this, we make use of the multi-band campaigns organised by the WEBT collaboration in optical and radio between January 2018 and December 2020, and of public data from Swift and Fermi satellites and the MOJAVE Very Large Interferometry programme. We evaluated the variability shown by the source in each band by quantifying the amplitude variability parameter, and also looked for a possible inter-band correlation using the z-discrete correlation function. We also present a deep analysis of the optical-UV, X-ray, and gamma -ray spectral variability. With the MOJAVE data, we performed a kinematics analysis, looking for components propagating along the jet and calculating its kinematics parameters. We then used this set of parameters to interpret the source MWL behaviour, modelling its broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) with theoretical blazar emission scenarios. The MWL variability of the source in the UV, X-ray, and gamma -ray bands is comparable to that in optical, especially considering the lower coverage of the first two wavebands. On the other hand, the radio bands show variability of much lower magnitude. Moreover, this MWL emission shows a high degree of correlation, which is compatible with zero lag, again with the exception of the radio emission. The radio VLBI images reveal super-luminal motion of one of the identified components, which we used to set constraints on the jet kinematics and parameters, and to estimate a viewing angle of $ a Doppler factor of $ and a Lorentz factor of $ The polarised radio emission was found to be anti-correlated with the total flux, and to follow the same behaviour as the polarised optical radiation. The optical-UV spectral behaviour shows a mild harder-when-brighter trend on long timescales, and other trends such as redder-when-brighter on shorter timescales. We successfully modelled the broadband emission with a leptonic scenario, where we compared the low and high emission states during the period of complete MWL coverage. The difference between these two states can be ascribed mainly to a hardening of the distribution of particles. The derived features of the source confirm that 3C 371 is a BL Lac whose jet is not well aligned with the line of sight.

Fermi-LAT Detection of the Low-luminosity Radio Galaxy NGC 4278 during the LHAASO Campaign

Abstract We present a study of the high-energy properties of the compact symmetric object NGC 4278, recently associated with a TeV source by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) collaboration. We conducted a dedicated analysis of a Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) region around NGC 4278, limited to the LHAASO campaign conducted from 2021 March to 2022 October. A statistically significant emission (∼4.3σ) was revealed, spatially consistent with the radio position of NGC 4278 and the LHAASO source. The Fermi-LAT source is detected above 8 GeV, exhibiting a hard spectrum (photon index Γ = 1.3 ± 0.3) and a γ-ray luminosity of L &gt;100 MeV ≃ 4 × 1041 erg s–1. A serendipitous Swift X-Ray Telescope (XRT) observation of NGC 4278 during the TeV campaign reveals the source in a high state, with a flux F 0.5 − 8 ke V = 5 − 2 + 3 × 1 0 − 12 erg s − 1 cm − 2 , compatible with the highest luminosity level observed in previous Chandra pointings. The high-energy spectral energy distribution of the source and the intense flux variation observed in the X-ray band support a jet origin for the observed radiation. We suggest that the significant enhancement of the high-energy flux observed during the LHAASO campaign is due to a transient, highly energetic perturbation in the jet. The detection of NGC 4278 at both high and very high energies opens new frontiers in studying particle acceleration processes. It reveals that even compact, low-power radio galaxies can exceed the sensitivity thresholds of GeV and TeV instruments, becoming promising targets for the upcoming Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory.

PMN J1310–5552: A Gamma-Ray-emitting Blazar Candidate Harboring a Cosmic Monster

Relativistic jets manifest some of the most intriguing activities in the nuclear regions of active galaxies. Identifying the most powerful relativistic jets permits us to probe the most luminous accretion systems and, in turn, the most massive black holes. This paper reports the identification of one such object, PMN J1310−5552 (z = 1.56), a blazar candidate of uncertain type detected with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and Swift Burst Alert Telescope. The detection of broad emission lines in its optical spectra taken with the X-Shooter and Goodman spectrographs classifies it to be a flat-spectrum radio quasar. The analysis of the Goodman optical spectrum has revealed PMN J1310−5552 harbors a massive black hole (log scale M BH = 9.90 ± 0.07, in M ⊙) and luminous accretion disk (log scale L disk = 46.86 ± 0.03, in erg s−1). The fitting of the observed big blue bump with the standard accretion disk model resulted in the log scale M BH =9.81−0.20+0.19 (in M ⊙) and L disk =46.86−0.09+0.09 (in erg s−1), respectively. These parameters suggest PMN J1310−5552 hosts one of the most massive black holes and the most luminous accretion disks among the blazar population. The physical properties of this enigmatic blazar were studied by modeling the broadband spectral energy distribution considering the data from NuSTAR, Swift, Fermi-LAT, and archival observations. Overall, PMN J1310−5552 is a powerful “MeV” blazar with physical parameters similar to other members of this unique class of blazars. These results provide glimpses of monsters lurking among the unknown high-energy emitters and demonstrate the importance of ongoing wide-field sky surveys to discover them.

Temporal and Spectral Analysis of the Unique and Second-brightest Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 230307A: Insights from GECAM and Fermi/GBM Observations

In this study, we present the pulse profile of the unique and the second-brightest gamma-ray burst GRB 230307A, and analyze its temporal behavior using a joint GECAM–Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) time-resolved spectral analysis. The utilization of GECAM data is advantageous as it successfully captured significant data during the pileup period of the Fermi/GBM. We investigate the evolution of its flux, photon fluence, photon flux, peak energy, and the corresponding hardness–intensity and hardness–flux correlations. The findings within the first 27 s exhibit consistent patterns reported previously, providing valuable insights for comparing observations with predictions from the synchrotron radiation model invoking an expanding shell. Beyond the initial 27 s, we observe a notable transition in the emitted radiation, attributed to high-latitude emission, influenced by the geometric properties of the shells and the relativistic Doppler effects. By modeling the data within the framework of the large-radius internal shock model, we discuss the required parameters as well as the limitations of the model. We conclude that a more complicated synchrotron emission model is needed to fully describe the observational data of GRB 230307A.

A wiggling filamentary jet at the origin of the blazar multi-wavelength behaviour

Context. Blazars are beamed active galactic nuclei (AGNs) known for their strong multi-wavelength variability on timescales ranging from years down to minutes. Many different models have been proposed to explain this variability. Aims. We aim to investigate the suitability of the twisting jet model presented in previous works to explain the multi-wavelength behaviour of BL Lacertae, the prototype of one of the blazar classes. According to this model, the jet is inhomogeneous, curved, and twisting, and the long-term variability is due to changes in the Doppler factor due to variations in the orientation of the jet-emitting regions. Methods. We analysed optical data of the source obtained during monitoring campaigns organised by the Whole Earth Blazar Telescope (WEBT) in 2019–2022, together with radio data from the WEBT and other teams, and γ-ray data from the Fermi satellite. In this period, BL Lacertae underwent an extraordinary activity phase, reaching its historical optical and γ-ray brightness maxima. Results. The application of the twisting jet model to the source light curves allows us to infer the wiggling motion of the optical, radio, and γ-ray jet-emitting regions. The optical-radio correlation shows that the changes in the radio viewing angle follow those in the optical viewing angle by about 120 days, and it suggests that the jet is composed of plasma filaments, which is in agreement with some radio high-resolution observations of other sources. The γ-ray emitting region is found to be co-spatial with the optical one, and the analysis of the γ-optical correlation is consistent with both the geometric interpretation and a synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) origin of the high-energy photons. Conclusions. We propose a geometric scenario where the jet is made up of a pair of emitting plasma filaments in a sort of double-helix curved rotating structure, whose wiggling motion produces changes in the Doppler beaming and can thus explain the observed multi-wavelength long-term variability.

The Statistical Analysis of GeV Spectral Breaks in Bright Gamma-Ray Flat-spectrum Radio Quasars

We present the statistical results of GeV spectral breaks of bright gamma-ray flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) in the energy range of 0.1–10 GeV based on New Pass 8 data of the Large Area Telescope on board Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope. We have fitted the 15 yr average gamma-ray spectra of 755 FSRQs by using both the broken power law (BPL) and logarithmic parabola (LP) models, and obtained 87 bright gamma-ray FSRQs with their integrated photon fluxes greater than 2.16 × 10−8 cm−2 s−1. From our results, the FSRQ population shows similar preferences for both the BPL and LP models in gamma-ray spectral fitting, and the clustering analysis suggests that BPL-preferred and LP-preferred FSRQs belong to the same category. Our results indicate that GeV spectral breaks in bright gamma-ray FSRQs are located at 2.90 ± 1.92 GeV in the rest frame, and the observed change in photon index is Δγ = 0.45 ± 0.19, which is consistent with the expected value for a cooling break of electrons scattering seed photons.

COBIPULSE: A Systematic Search for Compact Binary Millisecond Pulsars

We report here the results obtained from a systematic optical photometric survey aimed at finding new compact binary millisecond pulsars (also known as “spiders”): the COmpact BInary PULsar SEarch. We acquired multiband optical images over 1 yr around 33 unidentified Fermi Large Area Telescope sources, selected as pulsar candidates based on their curved GeV spectra and steady γ-ray emission. We present the discovery of four optical variables coinciding with the Fermi sources 3FGL J0737.2−3233, 3FGL J2117.6+3725 (two systems in this field), and 3FGL J2221.6+6507, which we propose as new candidate spider systems. Indeed, they all show optical flux modulation consistent with orbital periods of 0.3548(5), 0.25328(6), 0.441961(2), and 0.165(4) days, respectively, with amplitudes ≳0.3 mag and colors compatible with companion star temperatures of 5000–6000 K. These properties are consistent with the “redback” subclass of spider pulsars. If confirmed as a millisecond pulsar, 3FGL J0737.2−3233 will be the closest known spider to Earth ( D=659−20+16pc , from Gaia-DR3 parallax). We searched and did not find any X-ray sources matching our four candidates, placing 3σ upper limits of ∼1031–1032 erg s−1 (0.3–10 keV) on their soft X-ray luminosities. We also present and discuss other multiwavelength information on our spider candidates, from infrared to X-rays.

Tentative Blazar Candidate EP240709A Associated with 4FGL J0031.5−5648: NICER and Archival Multiwavelength Observations

Abstract We report on follow-up observations of the recently discovered transient by the Einstein Probe, EP240709A, with the Neutron star Interior Composition Explorer. We also incorporated archival multiwavelength survey data from the Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory (X-ray), Gaia (optical), the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope (gamma-ray), and the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (infrared) to distinguish between blazars and stellar systems. We suggest that EP240709A is likely an active blazar.

The Proper Motion of the High Galactic Latitude Pulsar Calvera

Calvera (1RXS J141256.0+792204) is a pulsar of characteristic age 285 kyr at a high Galactic latitude of b = +37°, detected only in soft thermal X-rays. We measure a new and precise proper motion for Calvera using Chandra High Resolution Camera observations obtained 10 yr apart. We also derive a new phase-connected ephemeris using 6 yr of NICER data, including the astrometric position and proper motion as fixed parameters in the timing solution. Calvera is located near the center of a faint, circular radio ring that was recently discovered by LOFAR and confirmed as a supernova remnant (SNR) by the detection of γ-ray emission with Fermi Large Area Telescope. The proper motion of 78.5 ± 2.9 mas yr−1 at position angle 241.°3 ± 2.°2 (in Galactic coordinates) points away from the center of the ring, a result which differs markedly from a previous low-significance measurement, and greatly simplifies the interpretation of the SNR/pulsar association. It argues that the supernova indeed birthed Calvera <10 kyr ago, with an initial spin period close to its present value of 59 ms. The tangential velocity of the pulsar depends on its uncertain distance, v t = (372 ± 14)d 1 kpc km s−1, but is probably dominated by the supernova kick, while its progenitor could have been a runaway O or B star from the Galactic disk.

Periodic Gamma-Ray Modulation of the Blazar PG 1553+113 Confirmed by Fermi-LAT and Multiwavelength Observations

A 2.1 yr periodic oscillation of the gamma-ray flux from the blazar PG 1553+113 has previously been tentatively identified in ∼7 yr of data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope. After 15 yr of Fermi sky-survey observations, doubling the total time range, we report >7 cycle gamma-ray modulation with an estimated significance of 4σ against stochastic red noise. Independent determinations of oscillation period and phase in the earlier and the new data are in close agreement (chance probability <0.01). Pulse timing over the full light curve is also consistent with a coherent periodicity. Multiwavelength new data from Swift X-Ray Telescope, Burst Alert Telescope, and UVOT, and from KAIT, Catalina Sky Survey, All-Sky Automated Survey for Supernovae, and Owens Valley Radio Observatory ground-based observatories as well as archival Rossi X-Ray Timing Explorer satellite-All Sky Monitor data, published optical data of Tuorla, and optical historical Harvard plates data are included in our work. Optical and radio light curves show clear correlations with the gamma-ray modulation, possibly with a nonconstant time lag for the radio flux. We interpret the gamma-ray periodicity as possibly arising from a pulsational accretion flow in a sub-parsec binary supermassive black hole system of elevated mass ratio, with orbital modulation of the supplied material and energy in the jet. Other astrophysical scenarios introduced include instabilities, disk and jet precession, rotation or nutation, and perturbations by massive stars or intermediate-mass black holes in polar orbit.

PKS 2254+074: A Blazar in Likely Association with the Neutrino Event IceCube-190619A

We report our study of the field of the ≃0.2 PeV neutrino event IC-190619A. This neutrino belongs to Gold events, which more likely have an astrophysical origin. Among the two γ-ray sources within the neutrino’s positional uncertainty region, we find that one of them, the BL Lac–type blazar PKS 2254+074, had a γ-ray flare at the arrival time of the neutrino. The flare is determined to have lasted ∼2.5 yr in a 180 day binned light curve, constructed from the data collected with the Large Area Telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Accompanying the flare, optical and mid-infrared brightening is also seen. In addition, ≥10 GeV high-energy photons from the source have been detected, suggesting a hardening of the emission during the flare. Given both the positional and temporal coincidence of PKS 2254+074 with IC-190619A, we suggest that this blazar is likely another member of a few recently identified (candidate) neutrino-emitting blazars.

Triggering the Untriggered: The First Einstein Probe-detected Gamma-Ray Burst 240219A and Its Implications

The Einstein Probe (EP) achieved its first detection and localization of a bright X-ray flare, EP240219a, on 2024 February 19, during its commissioning phase. Subsequent targeted searches triggered by the EP240219a alert identified a faint, untriggered gamma-ray burst (GRB) in the archived data of Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM), Swift Burst Alert Telescope (BAT), and Insight-HXMT/HE. The EP Wide-field X-ray Telescope (WXT) light curve reveals a long duration of approximately 160 s with a slow decay, whereas the Fermi/GBM light curve shows a total duration of approximately 70 s. The peak in the Fermi/GBM light curve occurs slightly later with respect to the peak seen in the EP/WXT light curve. Our spectral analysis shows that a single cutoff power-law (PL) model effectively describes the joint EP/WXT–Fermi/GBM spectra in general, indicating coherent broad emission typical of GRBs. The model yielded a photon index of ∼–1.70 ± 0.05 and a peak energy of ∼257 ± 134 keV. After detection of GRB 240219A, long-term observations identified several candidates in optical and radio wavelengths, none of which was confirmed as the afterglow counterpart during subsequent optical and near-infrared follow-ups. The analysis of GRB 240219A classifies it as an X-ray-rich GRB (XRR) with a high peak energy, presenting both challenges and opportunities for studying the physical origins of X-ray flashes, XRRs, and classical GRBs. Furthermore, linking the cutoff PL component to nonthermal synchrotron radiation suggests that the burst is driven by a Poynting flux-dominated outflow.

Detection of the Extended γ-Ray Emission from the New Supernova Remnant G321.3–3.9 with Fermi-LAT

With the 15 yr of Pass 8 data recorded by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, we report the detection of an extended gigaelectronvolt emission component with a 68% containment radius of 0.°85, which is spatially associated with the newly identified supernova remnant (SNR) G321.3–3.9. The γ-ray spectrum is best described by a log-parabola model in the energy range of 100 MeV–1 TeV, which shows a significant spectral curvature at ∼1 GeV. Either a leptonic or a hadronic model could explain the multiwavelength data of G321.3–3.9, while the leptonic model predicts a too-low strength of magnetic field. Also considering the flat radio spectrum of G321.3–3.9 and the γ-ray upper limit in the low energy band, the hadronic model is favored. The spatial coincidence between the γ-ray morphology and the diffuse thermal X-ray emission of G321.3–3.9 and the curved gigaelectronvolt γ-ray spectrum make G321.3–3.9 similar to the typical middle-aged SNRs interacting with molecular clouds (MCs). Such characteristics provide further evidence of the potential hadronic origin for its γ-ray emission. However, there is no MC detected around G321.3–3.9, which challenges the hadronic model.

The Detection of Possible Quasiperiodic Oscillations in the BL Lac 4FGL J2139.4−4235

We present periodicity search analyses on the long-term γ-ray light curve of the BL Lacertae object 4FGL J2139.4−4235 observed by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, over a period of more than 15 yr, from 2008 August 4 to 2023 December 10. To determine the quasiperiodic oscillation (QPO) behavior of 4FGL J2139.4−4235 in the 0.3–300 GeV energy range, we used four methods, namely the Lomb–Scargle periodogram, the weighted wavelet z-transform, the phase dispersion minimization, and the autoregressive integrated moving average model. A Monte Carlo simulation technique is used to evaluate the significance level of the QPO signal. Significant levels above 3.5σ were detected in the γ-ray light curve at about 650 days QPO, which is presented throughout the observation period. Interestingly, there was some correlation between the three bands in the discrete correlation function method calculations, which may be an indication that the variability trends between the three bands are similar. We explore the possible physical models and show that a supermassive binary black hole system or a jet helical motion model seem to be reasonable explanations for the potential QPO behavior.

Detection of Very High-energy Gamma-Ray Emission from the Radio Galaxy M87 with LHAASO

The nearby radio galaxy M87 is a very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray emitter established by observations with ground-based gamma-ray detectors. Here we report the long-term monitoring of M87 from 2021 to 2024 with the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). M87 has been detected by LHAASO with a statistical significance ∼ 9σ. The observed energy spectrum extends to 20 TeV, with a possible hardening at ∼20 TeV and then a clear softening at higher energies. Assuming that the intrinsic spectrum is described by a single power law up to 20 TeV, a tight upper bound on the extragalactic background light intensity is obtained. A strong VHE flare lasting 8 days, with a rise time of τrrise=1.05±0.49 days and decay time of τddecay=2.17±0.58 days, was found in early 2022. A possible GeV flare is seen also in Fermi Large Area Telescope data during the VHE flare period. The variability time as short as 1 day seen in the LHAASO data suggests a compact emission region with a size of ∼3 × 1015 δ cm (δ being the Doppler factor of the emitting region), corresponding to a few Schwarzschild radii of the central supermassive black hole in M87. The continuous monitoring of the source reveals a duty cycle of ∼1% for VHE flares with a flux above 10−11 erg cm−2 s−1.

Analysis of the Emission and Morphology of the Pulsar Wind Nebula Candidate HAWC J2031+415

The first TeV γ-ray source with no lower energy counterparts, TeV J2032+4130, was discovered by HEGRA. It appears in the third HAWC catalog as 3HWC J2031+415 and it is a bright TeV γ-ray source whose emission has previously been resolved as two sources: HAWC J2031+415 and HAWC J2030+409. While HAWC J2030+409 has since been associated with the Fermi Large Area Telescope Cygnus Cocoon, no such association for HAWC J2031+415 has yet been found. In this work, we investigate the spectrum and energy-dependent morphology of HAWC J2031+415. We associate HAWC J2031+415 with a γ-ray binary system containing the pulsar PSR J2032+4127 and its companion MT91 213. We study HAWC data to observe their periastron in 2017. Additionally, we perform a combined multiwavelength analysis using radio, X-ray, and γ-ray emission. We conclude that HAWC J2031+415 and, by extension, TeV J2032+4130 are most probably a pulsar wind nebula powered by PSR J2032+4127.

Nonthermal GeV emission from the Nereides nebula: Confirming the nature of the supernova remnant G107.7−5.1

Context. Recently, the Nereides nebula was discovered through deep optical emission line observations and was classified as a supernova remnant (SNR) candidate, G107.7−5.1. Aims. Since very little is known about this SNR, we have looked at several archival datasets to better understand the environment and properties of the object. Methods. We present a detailed analysis of the gamma-ray emission detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope in the region of the nebula. A model of the nonthermal emission is presented that allows us to derive the particle distribution responsible for the gamma rays. We also use molecular gas and atomic hydrogen observations to try to constrain the source age and distance. Results. An extended (∼2°) GeV source coincident with the location of the nebula is found. The nonthermal emission has a hard spectrum and is detected up to ∼100 GeV, confirming the SNR nature of this object. The GeV properties of G107.7−5.1 are similar to those of other SNRs such as G150.3​ + ​4.5, and it likely expands in a relatively low-density medium. The Nereides nebula is one more example of a growing population of dim SNRs detected at high energies. A simple leptonic model is able to account for the gamma-ray emission. Standard SNR evolutionary models constrain the age to be in the 10 − 50 kyr range, which is consistent with estimates of the maximum particle energy obtained from GeV observations. However, more detailed observations of the source should be carried out to better understand its properties.

Quasiperiodic γ-Ray Modulations in the Blazars PKS 2155-83 and PKS 2255-282

While there has been an increase in interest in the possibility of quasiperiodic oscillations (QPOs) in blazars, the search has hitherto been restricted to sources with well-sampled light curves. Objects with light curves that include gaps have been, to our knowledge, overlooked. Here, we study two such curves, which have the interesting feature of pertaining to relatively high-redshift blazars—FSRQs, PKS 2155-83, and PKS 2255-282—observed by the Fermi Large Area Telescope. Their redshifts border the “cosmic noon” era of galaxy formation and merging, and their light curves exhibit a distinctive pattern of repetitive high and low (gap dominant) states for 15.6 yr. To accommodate for the gaps in the curves, data are integrated over extended time intervals of 1 month and 2 months. The resulting curves were also examined using methods suitable for sparsely sampled data. This investigation of PKS 2155-83 and PKS 2255-282 suggests QPOs with periods of 4.69 ± 0.79 yr (3σ) and 6.82 ± 2.25 yr (2.8σ), respectively. The probability density functions of the blazars’ fluxes, along with the correlation between their flux and spectral index, were also analyzed. Given the epochs in which the objects are observed, the plausibility of a binary black hole scenario as an origin of the apparent periodicity was examined. We estimated the prospective parameters of such a system using a simple geometric model. The total masses were estimated and found to be consistent, in principle, with independent (dynamical) measurements of the central black hole masses in the two host galaxies.