Multi-wavelength Counterparts Research Articles

Optical microflares in LS I +61 303 and the search for their multiwavelength counterpart

Context. Stellar sources of gamma rays are one of the front lines in modern astrophysics whose understanding can benefit from observational tools not originally designed for their study. Aims. We take advantage of the high precision photometric capabilities of present-day space facilities to obtain a new perspective on the optical behavior of the X-ray and gamma-ray binary LS I +61 303. Previously unknown phenomena whose effects manifest with amplitudes below 0.01 magnitude can now be clearly observed and studied. Methods. Our work is mainly based on the analysis of optical and gamma-ray archival data and uses the tools recommended by the different collaborations that provide these valuable observational resources (in particular, the TESS and Fermi orbiting observatories). In addition, complementary ground-based optical spectroscopy has also been conducted. Results. We report the discovery of small-amplitude optical flares on timescales of a day in the LS I +61 303 light curve. Different alternative scenarios to explain their origin are tentatively proposed.

Multiwavelength properties of 850-μm selected sources from the North Ecliptic Pole SCUBA-2 survey

ABSTRACT We present the multiwavelength counterparts of 850-$\mu$m selected submillimetre sources over a 2-deg2 field centred on the North Ecliptic Pole. In order to overcome the large beam size (15 arcsec) of the 850-$\mu$m images, deep optical to near-infrared (NIR) photometric data and arcsecond-resolution 20-cm images are used to identify counterparts of submillimetre sources. Among 647 sources, we identify 514 reliable counterparts for 449 sources (69 per cent in number), based either on probabilities of chance associations calculated from positional offsets or offsets combined with the optical-to-NIR colours. In the radio imaging, the fraction of 850-$\mu$m sources having multiple counterparts is 7 per cent. The photometric redshift, infrared luminosity, stellar mass, star formation rate (SFR), and the active galactic nucleus (AGN) contribution to the total infrared luminosity of the identified counterparts are investigated through spectral energy distribution fitting. The SMGs are infrared-luminous galaxies at an average 〈z〉 = 2.5 with log10(LIR/L⊙) = 11.5–13.5, with a mean stellar mass of log10(Mstar/M⊙) = 10.90 and SFR of $\mathrm{log}_{10} (\mathrm{SFR/M_\odot \, yr^{-1}})=2.34$. The submillimetre galaxies (SMGs) show twice as large SFR as galaxies on the star-forming main sequence, and about 40 per cent of the SMGs are classified as objects with bursty star formation. At z ≥ 4, the contribution of AGN luminosity to total luminosity for most SMGs is larger than 30 per cent. The FIR-to-radio correlation coefficient of SMGs is consistent with that of main-sequence galaxies at z ≃ 2.

AT2020hur: A Possible Optical Counterpart of FRB 180916B

The physical origin of fast radio bursts (FRBs) remains unclear. Finding multiwavelength counterparts of FRBs can provide a breakthrough for understanding their nature. In this work, we perform a systematic search for astronomical transients whose positions are consistent with FRBs. We find an unclassified optical transient AT2020hur (α = 01h58m00.ˢ750 ± 1″, ) that is spatially coincident with the repeating FRB 180916B (α = 01h58m00.ˢ7502 ± 2.3 mas, mas; Marcote et al. 2020). The chance possibility of the AT2020hur–FRB 180916B association is about 0.04%, which corresponds to a significance of 3.5σ. We develop a giant flare (GF) afterglow model to fit AT2020hur. Although the GF afterglow model can interpret the observations of AT2020hur, the derived kinetic energy of such a GF is at least three orders of magnitude larger than that of a typical GF, and a lot of fine-tuning and coincidences are required for this model. Another possible explanation is that AT2020hur might consist of two or more optical flares originating from the FRB source, e.g., fast optical bursts produced by the inverse Compton scattering of FRB emission. Besides, AT2020hur is located in one of the activity windows of FRB 180916B, which provides independent support for the association. This coincidence may be due to the optical counterparts being subject to the same periodic modulation as FRB 180916B, as implied by the prompt FRB counterparts. Future simultaneous observations of FRBs and their optical counterparts may help to reveal their physical origin.

21 new long-term variables in the GX 339−4 field: two years of MeerKAT monitoring

ABSTRACT We present 21 new long-term variable radio sources found commensally in 2 yr of weekly MeerKAT monitoring of the low-mass X-ray binary GX 339−4. The new sources are vary on time-scales of weeks to months and have a variety of light-curve shapes and spectral index properties. Three of the new variable sources are coincident with multiwavelength counterparts; and one of these is coincident with an optical source in deep MeerLICHT images. For most sources, we cannot eliminate refractive scintillation of active galactic nuclei as the cause of the variability. These new variable sources represent 2.2 ± 0.5 per cent of the unresolved sources in the field, which is consistent with the 1–2 per cent variability found in past radio variability surveys. However, we expect to find short-term variable sources in the field and these 21 new long-term variable sources. We present the radio light curves and spectral index variability of the new variable sources, as well as the absolute astrometry and matches to coincident sources at other wavelengths.

Radio and X-Ray Observations of the Luminous Fast Blue Optical Transient AT 2020xnd

Abstract We present deep X-ray and radio observations of the fast blue optical transient (FBOT) AT 2020xnd/ZTF 20acigmel at z = 0.2433 from 13 days to 269 days after explosion. AT 2020xnd belongs to the category of optically luminous FBOTs with similarities to the archetypal event AT 2018cow. AT 2020xnd shows luminous radio emission reaching L ν ≈ 8 × 1029 erg s−1 Hz−1 at 20 GHz and 75 days post-explosion, accompanied by luminous and rapidly fading soft X-ray emission peaking at L X ≈ 6 × 1042 erg s−1. Interpreting the radio emission in the context of synchrotron radiation from the explosion’s shock interaction with the environment, we find that AT 2020xnd launched a high-velocity outflow (v ∼ 0.1c–0.2c) propagating into a dense circumstellar medium (effective M ̇ ≈ 10 − 3 M ⊙ yr−1 for an assumed wind velocity of v w = 1000 km s−1). Similar to AT 2018cow, the detected X-ray emission is in excess compared to the extrapolated synchrotron spectrum and constitutes a different emission component, possibly powered by accretion onto a newly formed black hole or neutron star. These properties make AT 2020xnd a high-redshift analog to AT 2018cow, and establish AT 2020xnd as the fourth member of the class of optically luminous FBOTs with luminous multiwavelength counterparts.

Probabilistic classification of X-ray sources applied to Swift-XRT and XMM-Newton catalogs

Context. Serendipitous X-ray surveys have proven to be an efficient way to find rare objects, for example tidal disruption events, changing-look active galactic nuclei (AGN), binary quasars, ultraluminous X-ray sources, and intermediate mass black holes. With the advent of very large X-ray surveys, an automated classification of X-ray sources becomes increasingly valuable. Aims. This work proposes a revisited naive Bayes classification of the X-ray sources in the Swift-XRT and XMM-Newton catalogs into four classes – AGN, stars, X-ray binaries (XRBs), and cataclysmic variables (CVs) – based on their spatial, spectral, and timing properties and their multiwavelength counterparts. An outlier measure is used to identify objects of other natures. The classifier is optimized to maximize the classification performance of a chosen class (here XRBs), and it is adapted to data mining purposes. Methods. We augmented the X-ray catalogs with multiwavelength data, source class, and variability properties. We then built a reference sample of about 25 000 X-ray sources of known nature. From this sample, the distribution of each property was carefully estimated and taken as reference to assign probabilities of belonging to each class. The classification was then performed on the whole catalog, combining the information from each property. Results. Using the algorithm on the Swift reference sample, we retrieved 99%, 98%, 92%, and 34% of AGN, stars, XRBs, and CVs, respectively, and the false positive rates are 3%, 1%, 9%, and 15%. Similar results are obtained on XMM sources. When applied to a carefully selected test sample, representing 55% of the X-ray catalog, the classification gives consistent results in terms of distributions of source properties. A substantial fraction of sources not belonging to any class is efficiently retrieved using the outlier measure, as well as AGN and stars with properties deviating from the bulk of their class. Our algorithm is then compared to a random forest method; the two showed similar performances, but the algorithm presented in this paper improved insight into the grounds of each classification. Conclusions. This robust classification method can be tailored to include additional or different source classes and can be applied to other X-ray catalogs. The transparency of the classification compared to other methods makes it a useful tool in the search for homogeneous populations or rare source types, including multi-messenger events. Such a tool will be increasingly valuable with the development of surveys of unprecedented size, such as LSST, SKA, and Athena, and the search for counterparts of multi-messenger events.

The fast radio burst FRB 20201124A in a star-forming region: Constraints to the progenitor and multiwavelength counterparts

We present the results of a multiwavelength campaign targeting FRB 20201124A, the third closest repeating fast radio burst (FRB), which was recently localized in a nearby (z = 0.0978) galaxy. Deep VLA observations led to the detection of quiescent radio emission, which was also marginally visible in X-rays with Chandra. Imaging at 22 GHz allowed us to resolve the source on a scale of ≳1″ and locate it at the position of the FRB, within an error of 0.2″. The EVN and e-MERLIN observations sampled small angular scales, from 2 to 100 mas, providing tight upper limits on the presence of a compact source and evidence for diffuse radio emission. We argue that this emission is associated with enhanced star formation activity in the proximity of the FRB, corresponding to a star formation rate (SFR) of ≈10 M⊙ yr−1. The surface SFR at the location of FRB 20201124A is two orders of magnitude larger than what is typically observed in other precisely localized FRBs. Such a high SFR is indicative of this FRB source being a newborn magnetar produced from a supernova explosion of a massive star progenitor. Upper limits to the X-ray counterparts of 49 radio bursts observed in our simultaneous FAST, SRT, and Chandra campaign are consistent with a magnetar scenario.

An Accreting Stellar Binary Model for Active Periodic Fast Radio Bursts

Abstract In this work, we propose an accreting stellar binary model for understanding the active periodic fast radio bursts (FRBs). The system consists of a stellar compact object (CO) and a donor star (DS) companion in an eccentric orbit, where the DS fills its own Roche lobe near the periastron. The CO accretes the material from the DS and then drives relativistic magnetic blobs. The interaction between the magnetic blobs and the stellar wind of the DS produces a pair of shocks. We find that both the reverse shock and the forward shock are likely to produce FRBs via the synchrotron maser mechanism. We show that this system can in principle sufficiently produce highly active FRBs with a long lifetime, and also can naturally explain the periodicity and the duty cycle of the activity that appeared in FRBs 180916 and 121102. The radio nebula excited by the long-term injection of magnetic blobs into the surrounding environment may account for the associated persistent radio source. In addiction, we discuss the possible multiwavelength counterparts of FRB 180916 in the context of this model. Finally, we encourage the search for FRBs in ultraluminous X-ray sources.

Searching for High-z Radio Galaxies with the MGCLS

We present the results from a search for high-redshift radio galaxy (HzRG) candidates using 1.28 GHz data in the Abell 2751 field drawn from the MeerKAT Galaxy Cluster Legacy Survey (MGCLS). We used the HzRG criteria that a radio source is undetected in all-sky optical and infrared catalogues and that it has a very steep radio spectrum. We used the likelihood ratio method for cross-matching the radio catalogue against multi-wavelength galaxy catalogues from the Dark Energy Camera Legacy Survey (DECaLS) and the All-sky Wide Infrared Survey Explorer (AllWISE). For those radio sources with no multi-wavelength counterpart, we further implemented a radio spectral index criterium of α<−1, using in-band spectral index measurements from the wide-band MeerKAT data. Using a 5σ signal-to-noise cut on the radio flux densities, we found a total of 274 HzRG candidates: 179 ultra-steep spectrum sources and 95 potential candidates, which could not be ruled out as they had no spectral information available. The spectral index assignments in this work were complete above a flux density of 0.3 mJy, which is at least an order of magnitude lower than existing studies in this frequency range or when extrapolating from lower frequency limits. Our faintest HzRG candidates with and without an in-band spectral index measurement had a 1.28 GHz flux density of 57 ± 8 μJy and 68 ± 13 μJy, respectively. Although our study is not complete down to these flux densities, our results indicate that the sensitivity and bandwidth of the MGCLS data make them a powerful radio resource to search for HzRG candidates in the Southern sky, with 20 of the MGCLS pointings having similar image quality as the Abell 2751 field and full coverage in both DECaLS and AllWISE. Data at additional radio frequencies will be needed for the faintest source populations, which could be provided in the near future by the MeerKAT UHF band (580–1015 MHz) at a similar resolution (∼8–10″).

Searching for Fermi GRB optical counterparts with the prototype Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO)

ABSTRACT The typical detection rate of ∼1 gamma-ray burst (GRB) per day by the Fermi Gamma-ray Burst Monitor (GBM) provides a valuable opportunity to further our understanding of GRB physics. However, the large uncertainty of the Fermi localization typically prevents rapid identification of multiwavelength counterparts. We report the follow-up of 93 Fermi GRBs with the Gravitational-wave Optical Transient Observer (GOTO) prototype on La Palma. We selected 53 events (based on favourable observing conditions) for detailed analysis, and to demonstrate our strategy of searching for optical counterparts. We apply a filtering process consisting of both automated and manual steps to 60 085 candidates initially, rejecting all but 29, arising from 15 events. With ≈3 GRB afterglows expected to be detectable with GOTO from our sample, most of the candidates are unlikely to be related to the GRBs. Since we did not have multiple observations for those candidates, we cannot confidently confirm the association between the transients and the GRBs. Our results show that GOTO can effectively search for GRB optical counterparts thanks to its large field of view of ≈40 deg2 and its depth of ≈20 mag. We also detail several methods to improve our overall performance for future follow-up programmes of Fermi GRBs.

The XMM-SERVS Survey: XMM-Newton Point-source Catalogs for the W-CDF-S and ELAIS-S1 Fields

Abstract We present the X-ray point-source catalogs in two of the XMM-Spitzer Extragalactic Representative Volume Survey (XMM-SERVS) fields, W-CDF-S (4.6 deg2) and ELAIS-S1 (3.2 deg2), aiming to fill the gap between deep pencil-beam X-ray surveys and shallow X-ray surveys over large areas. The W-CDF-S and ELAIS-S1 regions were targeted with 2.3 and 1.0 Ms of XMM-Newton observations, respectively; 1.8 and 0.9 Ms exposures remain after flare filtering. The survey in W-CDF-S has a flux limit of 1.0 × 10−14 erg cm−2 s−1 over 90% of its area in the 0.5–10 keV band; 4053 sources are detected in total. The survey in ELAIS-S1 has a flux limit of 1.3 × 10−14 erg cm−2 s−1 over 90% of its area in the 0.5–10 keV band; 2630 sources are detected in total. Reliable optical-to-IR multiwavelength counterpart candidates are identified for ≈89% of the sources in W-CDF-S and ≈87% of the sources in ELAIS-S1. A total of 3129 sources in W-CDF-S and 1957 sources in ELAIS-S1 are classified as active galactic nuclei (AGNs). We also provide photometric redshifts for X-ray sources; ≈84% of the 3319/2001 sources in W-CDF-S/ELAIS-S1 with optical-to-near-IR forced photometry available have either spectroscopic redshifts or high-quality photometric redshifts. The completion of the XMM-Newton observations in the W-CDF-S and ELAIS-S1 fields marks the end of the XMM-SERVS survey data gathering. The ≈12,000 pointlike X-ray sources detected in the whole ≈13 deg2 XMM-SERVS survey will benefit future large-sample AGN studies.

Constraining bright optical counterparts of fast radio bursts

Context. Fast radio bursts (FRBs) are extremely energetic pulses of millisecond duration and unknown origin. To understand the phenomenon that emits these pulses, targeted and un-targeted searches have been performed for multiwavelength counterparts, including the optical. Aims. The objective of this work is to search for optical transients at the positions of eight well-localized (< 1″) FRBs after the arrival of the burst on different timescales (typically at one day, several months, and one year after FRB detection). We then compare this with known optical light curves to constrain progenitor models. Methods. We used the Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope (LCOGT) network to promptly take images with its network of 23 telescopes working around the world. We used a template subtraction technique to analyze all the images collected at differing epochs. We have divided the difference images into two groups: In one group we use the image of the last epoch as a template, and in the other group we use the image of the first epoch as a template. We then searched for optical transients at the localizations of the FRBs in the template subtracted images. Results. We have found no optical transients and have therefore set limiting magnitudes to the optical counterparts. Typical limits in apparent and absolute magnitudes for our LCOGT data are ∼22 and −19 mag in the r band, respectively. We have compared our limiting magnitudes with light curves of super-luminous supernovae (SLSNe), Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia), supernovae associated with gamma-ray bursts (GRB-SNe), a kilonova, and tidal disruption events (TDEs). Conclusions. Assuming that the FRB emission coincides with the time of explosion of these transients, we rule out associations with SLSNe (at the ∼99.9% confidence level) and the brightest subtypes of SNe Ia, GRB-SNe, and TDEs (at a similar confidence level). However, we cannot exclude scenarios where FRBs are directly associated with the faintest of these subtypes or with kilonovae.

Extended Very-High-Energy Gamma-Ray Emission Surrounding PSR J0622+3749 Observed by LHAASO-KM2A.

We report the discovery of an extended very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source around the location of the middle-aged (207.8kyr) pulsar PSR J0622+3749 with the Large High-Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). The source is detected with a significance of 8.2σ for E>25 TeV assuming a Gaussian template. The best-fit location is (right ascension, declination) =(95.47°±0.11°,37.92°±0.09°), and the extension is 0.40°±0.07°. The energy spectrum can be described by a power-law spectrum with an index of -2.92±0.17_{stat}±0.02_{sys}. No clear extended multiwavelength counterpart of the LHAASO source has been found from the radio to sub-TeV bands. The LHAASO observations are consistent with the scenario that VHE electrons escaped from the pulsar, diffused in the interstellar medium, and scattered the interstellar radiation field. If interpreted as the pulsar halo scenario, the diffusion coefficient, inferred for electrons with median energies of ∼160 TeV, is consistent with those obtained from the extended halos around Geminga and Monogem and much smaller than that derived from cosmic ray secondaries. The LHAASO discovery of this source thus likely enriches the class of so-called pulsar halos and confirms that high-energy particles generally diffuse very slowly in the disturbed medium around pulsars.

Sensitivity of the Cherenkov Telescope Array to dark subhalos

In this work, we study the potential of the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) for the detection of Galactic dark matter (DM) subhalos. We focus on low-mass subhalos that do not host any baryonic content and therefore lack any multiwavelength counterpart. If the DM is made of weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs), these dark subhalos may thus appear in the gamma-ray sky as unidentified sources. A detailed characterization of the instrumental response of CTA to dark subhalos is performed, for which we use the {\it ctools} analysis software and simulate CTA observations under different array configurations and pointing strategies, such as the scheduled extragalactic survey. This, together with information on the subhalo population as inferred from N-body cosmological simulations, allows us to predict the CTA detectability of dark subhalos, i.e., the expected number of subhalos in each of the considered observational scenarios. In the absence of detection, for each observation strategy we set competitive limits to the annihilation cross section as a function of the DM particle mass, that are at the level of $\langle\sigma v\rangle\sim4\times10^{-24}$ ($7\times10^{-25}$) $\mathrm{cm^3s^{-1}}$ for the $b\bar{b}$ ($\tau^+\tau^-$) annihilation channel in the best case scenario. Interestingly, we find the latter to be reached with no dedicated observations, as we obtain the best limits by just accumulating exposure time from all scheduled CTA programs and pointings over the first 10 years of operation. This way CTA will offer the most constraining limits from subhalo searches in the intermediate range between $\sim 1-3$ TeV, complementing previous results with \textit{Fermi}-LAT and HAWC at lower and higher energies, respectively.

The bright end of the infrared luminosity functions and the abundance of hyperluminous infrared galaxies

Aims. We provide the most accurate estimate yet of the bright end of the infrared (IR) luminosity functions (LFs) and the abundance of hyperluminous IR galaxies (HLIRGs) with IR luminosities >1013L⊙, thanks to the combination of the high sensitivity, angular resolution, and large area of the LOFAR Deep Fields, which probes an unprecedented dynamic range of luminosity and volume. Methods. We cross-match Herschel sources and LOFAR sources in Boötes (8.63 deg2), Lockman Hole (10.28 deg2), and ELAIS-N1 (6.74 deg2) with rms sensitivities of ~32, 22, and 20 μJy beam−1, respectively. We divide the matched samples into “unique” and “multiple” categories. For the multiple matches, we de-blend the Herschel fluxes using the LOFAR positions and the 150-MHz flux densities as priors. We perform spectral energy distribution fitting, combined with multi-wavelength counterpart identifications and photometric redshift estimates, to derive IR luminosities. Results. The depth of the LOFAR data allows us to identify highly complete (~92% completeness) samples of bright Herschel sources with a simple selection based on the 250 μm flux density (45, 40, and 35 mJy in Boötes, Lockman Hole, and ELAIS-N1, respectively). Most of the bright Herschel sources fall into the unique category (i.e. a single LOFAR counterpart). For the multiple matches, there is excellent correspondence between the radio emission and the far-IR emission. We find a good agreement in the IR LFs with a previous study out to z ~ 6 which used de-blended Herschel data. Our sample gives the strongest and cleanest indication to date that the population of HLIRGs has surface densities of ~5 to ~18/deg2 (with variations due to a combination of the applied flux limit and cosmic variance) and an uncertainty of a factor of ≲2. In comparison, the GALFORM semi-analytic model significantly under-predicts the abundance of HLIRGs.

The LOFAR Two-meter Sky Survey: Deep Fields Data Release 1

We present the source associations, cross-identifications, and multi-wavelength properties of the faint radio source population detected in the deep tier of the LOFAR Two Metre Sky Survey (LoTSS): the LoTSS Deep Fields. The first LoTSS Deep Fields data release consists of deep radio imaging at 150 MHz of the ELAIS-N1, Lockman Hole, and Boötes fields, down to RMS sensitives of around 20, 22, and 32 μJy beam−1, respectively. These fields are some of the best studied extra-galactic fields in the northern sky, with existing deep, wide-area panchromatic photometry from X-ray to infrared wavelengths, covering a total of ≈26 deg2. We first generated improved multi-wavelength catalogues in ELAIS-N1 and Lockman Hole; combined with the existing catalogue for Boötes, we present forced, matched aperture photometry for over 7.2 million sources across the three fields. We identified multi-wavelength counterparts to the radio detected sources, using a combination of the Likelihood Ratio method and visual classification, which greatly enhances the scientific potential of radio surveys and allows for the characterisation of the photometric redshifts and the physical properties of the host galaxies. The final radio-optical cross-matched catalogue consists of 81 951 radio-detected sources, with counterparts identified and multi-wavelength properties presented for 79 820 (>97%) sources. We also examine the properties of the host galaxies, and through stacking analysis find that the radio population with no identified counterpart is likely dominated by active galactic nuclei (AGN) atz~ 3−4. This dataset contains one of the largest samples of radio-selected star-forming galaxies and AGN at these depths, making it ideal for studying the history of star-formation, and the evolution of galaxies and AGN across cosmic time.

A Nearby Repeating Fast Radio Burst in the Direction of M81

Abstract We report on the discovery of FRB 20200120E, a repeating fast radio burst (FRB) with a low dispersion measure (DM) detected by the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment FRB project. The source DM of 87.82 pc cm−3 is the lowest recorded from an FRB to date, yet it is significantly higher than the maximum expected from the Milky Way interstellar medium in this direction (∼50 pc cm−3). We have detected three bursts and one candidate burst from the source over the period 2020 January–November. The baseband voltage data for the event on 2020 January 20 enabled a sky localization of the source to within ≃14 arcmin2 (90% confidence). The FRB localization is close to M81, a spiral galaxy at a distance of 3.6 Mpc. The FRB appears on the outskirts of M81 (projected offset ∼20 kpc) but well inside its extended H i and thick disks. We empirically estimate the probability of a chance coincidence with M81 to be <10−2. However, we cannot reject a Milky Way halo origin for the FRB. Within the FRB localization region, we find several interesting cataloged M81 sources and a radio point source detected in the Very Large Array Sky Survey. We search for prompt X-ray counterparts in Swift Burst Alert Telescope and Fermi/GBM data, and, for two of the FRB 20200120E bursts, we rule out coincident SGR 1806−20-like X-ray bursts. Due to the proximity of FRB 20200120E, future follow-up for prompt multiwavelength counterparts and subarcsecond localization could be constraining of proposed FRB models.

Multiwavelength constraints on the unidentified Galactic TeV sources HESS J1427−608, HESS J1458−608, and new VHE γ-ray source candidates

Aims. Among the γ-ray sources discovered at high and very-high energies, a large fraction still lack a clear identification. In particular, the H.E.S.S. Galactic Plane Survey (HGPS) revealed 78 TeV sources among which 47 are not clearly associated with a known object. Multiwavelength data can help identify the origin of the very-high energy γ-ray emission, although some bright TeV sources have been detected without clear counterparts. We present a multiwavelength approach to constrain the origin of the emission from unidentified HGPS sources. Methods. We present a generic pipeline that explores a large database of multiwavelength archival data toward any region in the Galactic plane. Along with a visual inspection of the retrieved multiwavelength observations to search for faint and uncataloged counterparts, we derive a radio spectral index that helps disentangle thermal from nonthermal emission and a mean magnetic field through X-ray and TeV data in case of a leptonic scenario. We also search for a spectral connection between the GeV and the TeV regimes with the Fermi-LAT cataloged sources that may be associated with the unidentified HGPS source. We complete the association procedure with catalogs of known objects (supernova remnants, pulsar wind nebulae, H II regions, etc.) and with the source catalogs from instruments whose data are retrieved. Results. The method is applied on two unidentified sources, namely HESS J1427−608 and HESS J1458−608, for which the multiwavelength constraints favor the pulsar wind nebula (PWN) scenario. We model their broadband nonthermal spectra in a leptonic scenario with a magnetic field B ≲ 10 μG, which is consistent with that obtained from ancient PWNe. We place both sources within the context of the TeV PWN population to estimate the spin-down power and the characteristic age of the putative pulsar. We also shed light on two possibly significant γ-ray excesses in the HGPS: the first is located in the south of the unidentified source HESS J1632−478 and the second is spatially coincident with the synchrotron-emitting supernova remnant G28.6−0.1. The multiwavelength counterparts found toward both γ-ray excesses make these promising candidates for being new very-high energy γ-ray sources.

The ASKAP Variables and Slow Transients (VAST) Pilot Survey

AbstractThe Variables and Slow Transients Survey (VAST) on the Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) is designed to detect highly variable and transient radio sources on timescales from 5 s to$\sim\!5$yr. In this paper, we present the survey description, observation strategy and initial results from the VAST Phase I Pilot Survey. This pilot survey consists of$\sim\!162$h of observations conducted at a central frequency of 888 MHz between 2019 August and 2020 August, with a typical rms sensitivity of$0.24\ \mathrm{mJy\ beam}^{-1}$and angular resolution of$12-20$arcseconds. There are 113 fields, each of which was observed for 12 min integration time, with between 5 and 13 repeats, with cadences between 1 day and 8 months. The total area of the pilot survey footprint is 5 131 square degrees, covering six distinct regions of the sky. An initial search of two of these regions, totalling 1 646 square degrees, revealed 28 highly variable and/or transient sources. Seven of these are known pulsars, including the millisecond pulsar J2039–5617. Another seven are stars, four of which have no previously reported radio detection (SCR J0533–4257, LEHPM 2-783, UCAC3 89–412162 and 2MASS J22414436–6119311). Of the remaining 14 sources, two are active galactic nuclei, six are associated with galaxies and the other six have no multi-wavelength counterparts and are yet to be identified.

A Search for Hard X-Ray Bursts Occurring Simultaneously with Fast Radio Bursts in the Repeating FRB 121102

Abstract The nature of fast radio bursts (FRBs) is currently unknown. Repeating FRBs offer better observation opportunities than nonrepeating FRBs because their simultaneous multiwavelength counterparts might be identified. The magnetar flare model of FRBs is one of the most promising models that predict high-energy emission in addition to radio burst emission. To investigate such a possibility, we have searched for simultaneous and quasi-simultaneous short-term hard X-ray bursts in all Swift/BAT event mode data, which covered the periods when FRB detections were reported in the repeating FRB 121102, by making use of BAT’s arcminute-level spatial resolution and wide field of view. We did not find any significant hard X-ray bursts that occurred simultaneously with those radio bursts. We also investigated potential short X-ray bursts that occurred quasi-simultaneously with those radio bursts (occurrence time differs in the range from hundreds of seconds to thousands of seconds) and concluded that even the best candidates are consistent with background fluctuations. Therefore, our investigation concluded that there were no hard X-ray bursts detectable with Swift/BAT that occurred simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously with those FRBs in the repeating FRB 121102.