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arXiv · astro-ph/0605549

Variable Very High Energy Gamma-ray Emission from the Microquasar LS I +61 303

MAGIC Collaboration·J. Albert
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Abstract

Microquasars are binary star systems with relativistic radio-emitting jets. They are potential sources of cosmic rays and laboratories for elucidating the physics of relativistic jets. Here we report the detection of variable gamma-ray emission above 100 gigaelectron volts from the microquasar LS I +61 303. Six orbital cycles were recorded. Several detections occur at a similar orbital phase, suggesting the emission is periodic. The strongest gamma-ray emission is not observed when the two stars are closest to one another, implying a strong orbital modulation of the emission or the absorption processes.

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MAGIC Collaboration, J. Albert. 2006-05-22. Variable Very High Energy Gamma-ray Emission from the Microquasar LS I +61 303. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1128177

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