Detection of Multi-TeV Gamma Rays from Markarian 501 during an Unforeseen Flaring State in 1997 with the Tibet Air Shower Array

Abstract

In 1997, the BL Lac Object Mrk 501 entered a very active phase and was the brightest source in the sky at TeV energies, showing strong and frequent flaring. Using the data obtained with a high density air shower array that has been operating successfully at Yangbajing in Tibet since 1996, we searched for gamma-ray signals from this source during the period from February through August in 1997. Our observation detected multi-TeV $γ$-ray signals at the 3.7-Sigma level during this period. The most rapid increase of the excess counts was observed between April 7 and June 16 and the statistical significance of the excess counts in this period was 4.7-Sigma. Among several observations of flaring TeV gamma-rays from Mrk 501 in 1997, this is the only observation using a conventional air shower array. We present the energy spectrum of gamma-rays which will be worthy to compare with those obtained by imaging atmospheric Cerenkov telescopes.