arXiv subjects

Alison M. W. Mitchell

Publications and source records attributed to Alison M. W. Mitchell.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Identifying potentially missed extended sources in the Fermi-LAT 4FGL Catalog using clustering analysis

Many Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) sources remain unassociated. Some may be extended sources represented by multiple catalog entries, as found for HESS J1813-178. We search for clusters of unassociated Fermi-LAT sources and test whether single extended-source models describe them better than multiple catalog sources. We applied DBSCAN to 4FGL sources with a linking scale of $0.3^\circ$ over 5 GeV-1 TeV. Each cluster contains at least one unassociated source and up to one extended or point-like associated source from selected categories, including pulsars, pulsar wind nebulae and supernova remnants. Using Fermipy, we compared extended- and multiple-source models and characterized each candidate spectrally and morphologically, focusing on the Galactic plane. We identified 48 clusters containing 124 sources, each with at least one unassociated source. For all 8 clusters passing our quality selection, an extended-source model is statistically preferred. At linking scales of $0.4^\circ$ and $0.5^\circ$, all 8 clusters retain their core sources. Cross-matches with the Second Fermi Galactic Extended Sources Catalog (2FGES) and the HESS Galactic Plane Survey (HGPS) showed that 5 clusters overlap known extended sources. The other 3 clusters, including one cluster with a morphology dependent on the interstellar emission model, have no counterpart in either catalog and are new extended-source candidates. Spatial clustering combined with likelihood-based model comparison can uncover extended sources missed in the Fermi-LAT catalog and complements existing searches.

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arXiv2026

Joint X-ray and gamma-ray analysis at the photon level: Application to MSH 15-52

Joint analysis of multi-wavelength (MWL) data at the level of photon events is challenging, but it provides a statistically preferable method of fitting the data, in contrast to fitting derived flux points. Data from X-ray and gamma-ray instruments are well-suited for a joint description, due to their common physical origin (same particle population and non-thermal processes) and incidentally also due to the high similarity of their formats. Such a description is especially desirable for objects such as pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe), diffuse sources that originate from outflows of particles that have been accelerated by pulsars. Photon emission is generated by particle interactions with the surrounding magnetic and radiation fields. The rich MWL emission from PWNe renders MWL studies essential to obtain a comprehensive picture of their physical properties. We demonstrate a joint MWL analysis of 3D X-ray and gamma-ray data at the photon event level by importing eROSITA X-ray data into the Gammapy software framework. We present our pipeline for converting eROSITA 3D (two spatial and one spectral dimension) event data into a Gammapy-readable format. We validated the approach through comparison with standard X-ray data products and analysis. Furthermore a 3D eROSITA data analysis as well as a joint fit with 3D H.E.S.S. data and Fermi 4FGL catalogue flux points was performed. We show through the analysis of data from the PWN MSH\,15-52 that 1D fits of Gammapy-extracted eROSITA spectra agree with the results of the native X-ray tool PyXspec. We demonstrate that 3D analyses on X-ray data can be conducted, with both background subtraction and background modelling. Furthermore, we show that joint analyses at event level between 3D X-ray and gamma-ray data can be conducted in Gammapy. This opens up exciting new possibilities for joint analyses of PWNe and other objects.

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arXiv2026

Towards a joint X-ray and gamma-ray analysis of Pulsar Wind Nebulae with Gammapy

For detailed studies of Pulsar Wind Nebulae (PWNe), objects that show photon emission across the entire electromagnetic spectrum, multiwavelength analyses are crucial. The comparison of especially X-ray and gamma-ray emission and their angular sizes can help us to constrain the properties of PWNe, such as their particle transport mechanism or their potential for the acceleration of hadronic particles. In this vein, we are working towards a joint analysis of eROSITA X-ray data and H.E.S.S. gamma-ray data. To enable this, eROSITA data is adapted into the framework of Gammapy, a Python package for gamma-ray analysis through a multi-step process of adapting the formats of not only the photon event list, but also all X-ray response functions, into open data formats compatible with Gammapy. This is accomplished using newly developed Python converter functions. In this contribution we present the first eROSITA maps of the PWN MSH 15-52 in Gammapy, compared to the associated H.E.S.S. emission.

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arXiv2026

A catalogue of TeV pulsar environments

Pulsars and their environments represent a major class of Galactic gamma-ray sources. Their complex evolution, shaped by the interactions of the pulsar outflow with the supernova remnant (SNR) and the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM), produces diverse morphological and spectral characteristics observable from radio to PeV energies. This work collects and homogenizes data from all major operating TeV observatories, presenting the first comprehensive catalogue of TeV gamma-ray properties of pulsar environments. The catalogue is created from information regarding all gamma-ray sources that have been classified as pulsar-associated sources in published results from H.E.S.S., MAGIC, VERITAS, HAWC, and LHAASO. For each source, the observed gamma-ray properties are cross-matched with pulsar properties from the ATNF catalogue and Fermi-LAT pulsar catalogue. The final catalogue comprises all currently known TeV sources associated with pulsars, spanning all evolutionary stages. The sample consists of 128 gamma-ray sources, connected to 66 different pulsars. It reflects that the TeV-detected population is dominated by young and energetic pulsars located near the Galactic plane, but includes a growing number of middle-aged systems detected as extended halos. Only a weak correlation is found between TeV luminosity and pulsar characteristic age, indicating that TeV evolution is driven by environmental and transport effects rather than by spin-down age alone. Additionally, 5 pulsars which should host a PWN detectable by CTAO are identified as prime targets for future observation to improve our understanding of properties inhibiting the formation of a TeV nebula. This publicly available catalogue provides a uniform foundation for future population studies and for constraining models of particle transport and energy losses in pulsar environments.

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arXiv2026

The Potential for Hadronic Particle Acceleration in Galactic Pulsar Wind Nebulae

Pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe), formed when the wind originating from a rapidly rotating neutron star flows out into its surroundings, have now been observed across the electromagnetic spectrum from the radio to the PeV gamma-ray regime. For most of these sources, leptonic processes, where electrons interacting with background photon fields produce high-energy photons through inverse Compton scattering, are believed to be the origin of associated very-high-energy gamma-ray emission. As such, these objects cannot contribute significantly to the galactic hadronic cosmic ray flux at ~TeV-PeV energies. However, in a handful of cases, the possibility for an energetically sub-dominant hadron population being accelerated and producing very to ultra-high energy gamma-rays through pion decay has not yet been comprehensively excluded. Such scenarios have received renewed attention in the light of recent results from the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). In this review we explore the theoretical background positing hadronic acceleration in galactic PWNe, considering cases where the hadrons escape from the pulsar surface and/or are accelerated in the wind, as well as potential 'shock mixing' scenarios. We also explore current and future possible constraints on a hadronic component to PWNe from observations.

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arXiv2026

Probing hadronic gamma-ray and high-energy neutrino emission from Gaia DR2 star clusters

Young and massive stellar clusters are a potential source of galactic cosmic rays due to at least two acceleration mechanisms. Collective stellar winds from massive stars form a wind-blown bubble with a termination shock at which particle acceleration to PeV energies may be achieved. Furthermore, shock acceleration may occur at supernova remnants (SNRs) expanding inside the bubble. We apply a model of cosmic ray acceleration at both the collective wind termination shock and SNR shocks to the catalog of known stellar clusters derived from the Gaia DR2. Predictions for the secondary fluxes of gamma-ray and neutrino emission are derived based on hadro-nuclear interactions with the surrounding medium. We compare our modelling under baseline and optimistic scenarios to available data, finding consistent results. An anticipated flux range is provided for a shortlist of the most promising stellar clusters. Approximately 10 clusters may be detectable with future facilities, and 1-3 could be currently operating as PeVatrons. Among these, data from three gamma-ray detected clusters can be consistently described by our model. Several further as-yet-undetected stellar clusters offer promising targets for future gamma-ray observations, although the flux range allowed by our model can be broad (>~factor 10). The large angular size of the wind-blown bubble may pose a challenge, leading to low surface brightness emission, thus exacerbating the problem of source confusion. Nevertheless, we discuss how further work will help to constrain stellar clusters as PeVatron candidates.

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arXiv2025

Joint eROSITA and H.E.S.S. analysis of MSH 15-52 using Gammapy

Pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) are prominent sources in the very-high energy (VHE) gamma-ray sky, constituting the most numerous identified source class in the H.E.S.S. Galactic Plane Survey (HGPS). They are comprised of energetic particles originating from the pulsar and expanding into the surrounding medium. As such, PWNe are of very high scientific interest as PeVatron candidates, objects that could potentially accelerate particles up to PeV energies. Additionally other aspects of their acceleration mechanism are being actively investigated, such as the open question of whether they accelerate not only leptonic but also hadronic particles, and the details of their morphology and particle transport mechanism. As PWNe emit photons over a broad range of the electromagnetic spectrum, multiwavelength (MWL) studies are crucial for the investigation and study of their emission. In this vein we present a joint eROSITA X-ray and H.E.S.S. gamma-ray study of the PWN MSH 15-52. We showcase our custom code for integrating the EDR and DR1 eROSITA data into the Gammapy framework, a python package optimised for the analysis of gamma-ray data. We present the first 3D (spatial and spectral) fit to eROSITA data by using Gammapy. We furthermore combine these data with the public H.E.S.S. gamma-ray observations of MSH 15-52, resulting in a joint physical fit of the underlying particle population, and a subsequent discussion of the physical implications of our results. Finally we give an outlook towards future efforts in MWL studies of PWNe and the broader context of MWL data analysis with Gammapy.

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arXiv2025

Analysis of the Supernova Remnant IC 443 using H.E.S.S. Data

IC 443 is a well-known supernova remnant that stands out due to its interaction with a dense molecular cloud, creating a complex environment where shocks can efficiently accelerate particles to high energies. This makes it a key target for investigating the mechanisms of cosmic-ray acceleration and gamma-ray production, particularly in the context of supernova remnants as potential sources of PeV cosmic rays. This work presents a first analysis of the region as observed by H.E.S.S.. We detect extended very-high-energy gamma-ray emission from IC 443, consistent with previous observations by VERITAS and MAGIC. A multi-wavelength comparison incorporating data from Fermi-LAT, MAGIC, and VERITAS strongly supports a hadronic origin of the observed emission, and highlights the presence of relativistic protons interacting with the surrounding molecular cloud. These findings reinforce the role of IC 443 as a key laboratory for studying supernova remnants as cosmic-ray accelerators and their interaction with their surrounding mediums.

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arXiv2025

TeV Emission from PSR B1055-52 with HESS: Evidence for a Pulsar Halo

Pulsar halos are a recently identified class of TeV $γ$-ray sources, offering valuable insights into the evolution of pulsar systems at the highest energies. However, only a handful of such sources have been detected so far, making each new identification critical for understanding the properties of the population as a whole. We report the first detection of extended very-high-energy (VHE) $γ$-ray emission around PSR~B1055$-$52 using observations from the H.E.S.S. array. This middle-aged pulsar, previously grouped together with Geminga and PSR~B0656$+$14 as part of the ``Three Musketeers'', has now been confirmed to host a TeV pulsar halo, making it the third detected system of its kind, and the first TeV pulsar halo discovered in the southern hemisphere. Our analysis performed in an energy range of $0.3-60\,$TeV, reveals gamma-ray emission with a one sigma extension of $(2.05 \pm 0.32)^\circ$. The analysis indicates that the emission extends beyond the region which was observed with H.E.S.S.. No significant spectral variation is detected across the emission. The diffusion coefficient derived for this halo is significantly lower than the standard ISM value, aligning with findings in the Geminga halo and indicating that slow diffusion may be a common property of pulsar halos. The detection of this new TeV pulsar halo provides a crucial data point for studying the population-wide properties of pulsar halos, their impact on cosmic-ray propagation, and their role as a source of Galactic electrons and positrons.

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arXiv2025

Hadronic emission from the environment of the Crab Pulsar Wind Nebula by re-accelerated particles

The observation of peta-electronvolt (PeV) $γ$-ray photons from the Crab Nebula by LHAASO has revitalised the possibility of a secondary population of hadrons producing the highest energy emission through neutral pion decay. Despite previous studies modelling this population, the origin of such high-energy hadronic particles remains unclear. We consider possible acceleration scenarios for multi PeV particles in the Crab Nebula environment, including one in which high-energy protons produced at the supernova remnant's outer shock diffuse into the pulsar wind nebula. Particles which reach the Crab Pulsar's wind termination shock can be accelerated to the required energies, and subsequently interact with the dense filaments surrounding the nebula. We perform particle transport simulations of this scenario, including the effects of the expansion of the pulsar wind nebula into the surrounding supernova ejecta. We find that this results in PeV photons being produced over the lifetime of the Crab system, without over-estimating the flux at lower energies or exceeding the energy budget of the Crab Pulsar. This results in a reasonable match to the LHAASO data at the highest energies. We also present predictions for the resulting all-flavour neutrino flux, finding it to be approximately an order of magnitude below the sensitivity of current generation instruments.

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arXiv2025

Clustering analysis of Fermi-LAT unidentified point sources

The Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) has detected thousands of sources since its launch in 2008, with many remaining unidentified. Some of these point sources may arise from source confusion. Specifically, there could be extended sources erroneously described as groups of point sources. Using the DBSCAN clustering algorithm, we analyze unidentified Fermi-LAT sources alongside some classified objects from the 4FGL-DR4 catalog. We identified 44 distinct clusters containing 106 sources, each including at least one unidentified source. Detailed modeling of selected clusters reveals some cases where extended source models are statistically preferred over multiple point sources. The work is motivated by prior observations of extended TeV gamma-ray sources, such as HESS J1813-178, and their GeV counterparts. In the case of HESS J1813-178, two unidentified Fermi-LAT point sources were detected in the region. Subsequent multiwavelength analysis combining TeV and GeV data showed that a single extended source is a better description of the emission in this region than two point-like sources.

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arXiv2025

Detectability of Supernova Remnants with the Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are likely sources of hadronic particle acceleration within our galaxy, contributing to the galactic cosmic ray flux. Next-generation instruments, such as the Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO), will be of crucial importance in identifying new candidate SNRs. SWGO will observe two-thirds of the gamma-ray sky, covering the energy range between a few hundreds of GeV and a PeV. In this work, we apply a model of SNR evolution to a catalogue of SNRs in order to predict their gamma-ray spectra, explore the SNR emission phase space, and quantify detection prospects for SWGO. Finally, we validate our model for sources observed with current-generation instruments, fitting it using a Monte-Carlo Markov Chain technique to the observed gamma-ray emission from four SNRs. We anticipate that at least 6, and potentially as many as 11 SNRs will be detected by SWGO within 1 year.

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arXiv2025

Deriving pulsar pair-production multiplicities from pulsar wind nebulae using H.E.S.S. and LHAASO observations

Pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) dominate the galactic gamma-ray sky at very high energies and they are major contributors to the leptonic cosmic ray flux. However, the question of whether or not pulsars also accelerate ions to comparable energies has not yet been experimentally confirmed. We aim to constrain the birth period and pair-production multiplicity for a set of pulsars. In doing so, we aim to constrain the proportion of ions in the pulsar magnetosphere and, hence, the proportion of ions that could enter the pulsar wind. We estimated possible ranges of the value of the average pair production multiplicity for a sample of 26 pulsars in the Australia Telescope National Facility (ATNF) catalogue, which have also been observed by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) telescopes. We then derived lower limits for the pulsar birth periods and average pair production multiplicities for a subset of these sources where the extent of the pulsar wind nebula and surrounding supernova shell have been measured in the radio. We also derived curves for the average pair production multiplicities as a function of birth period for sources recently observed by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO). We show that there is a potential for hadrons entering the pulsar wind for most of the H.E.S.S. and LHAASO sources we consider here, which is dependent upon the efficiency of luminosity conversion into particles. We also present estimates of the pulsar birth period for six of these sources, all falling into the range of $\sim$10-50 ms.

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arXiv2024

Multi-View Deep Learning for Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes

This research note concerns the application of deep-learning-based multi-view-imaging techniques to data from the H.E.S.S. Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescope array. We find that the earlier the fusion of layer information from different views takes place in the neural network, the better our model performs with this data. Our analysis shows that the point in the network where the information from the different views is combined is far more important for the model performance than the method used to combine the information.

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arXiv2023

Hadronic Re-Acceleration at the Crab Pulsar Wind Termination Shock as a Source of PeV Gamma-Rays

Recent results from LHAASO and Tibet AS$γ$ suggest that the Crab Nebula's gamma-ray spectrum extends to the PeV energy range, however the production mechanisms of this highest energy emission remain unclear. It has been postulated that a secondary component of hadronic emission could explain the highest energy gamma-ray flux points, however the origin and acceleration mechanism for this hadronic population has yet to be explained. We postulate one scenario in which hadrons diffuse over time into the Crab pulsar wind nebula from the surrounding supernova ejecta, and are subsequently re-accelerated by the pulsar wind termination shock. We present results of direct particle transport simulations (including radial evolution) to determine if this scenario is viable over the lifetime of the Crab system.

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arXiv2023

Impact of Satellite Trails on H.E.S.S. Astronomical Observations

The number of satellites launched into Earth's orbit has almost tripled in the last three years due to the increasing commercialisation of space. Multiple satellite constellations, consisting of over 400,000 individual satellites, have either been partially launched or are proposed for launch in the near future. Many of these satellites are highly reflective, resulting in a high optical brightness that affects ground-based astronomical observations. Despite this caveat, the potential effect of these satellites on gamma-ray-observing Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) has largely been assumed to be negligible due to their nanosecond-scale integration times. However, this assumption has not been verified to date. As IACTs are sensitive to optical wavelength light, we aim to identify satellite trails in data taken by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) IACT array. In particular, this study is aimed at quantifying the potential effects on data quality and extensive air shower event classification and reconstruction. Using night sky background measurements from H.E.S.S., we determined which observation times and pointing directions are affected most by these satellite trails. We then evaluated their impact on the standard Hillas parameter variables used for event analysis. Due to the brightest trails, false trigger events can occur, however, for most modern analyses, the effect on astronomical results will be minimal. We observe a mild increase in the rate of trail detections over time, which is partially correlated with the number of satellite launches. Overall, the fraction of H.E.S.S. data affected is currently minimal. We note that these trails could still have a non-negligible effect on future Cherenkov Telescope Array observations if advanced analysis techniques designed to lower the energy threshold of the instrument are applied.

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arXiv2023

The Influence of Satellite Trails on H.E.S.S. Gamma-Ray Astronomical Observations

The number of satellites launched into low earth orbit has almost tripled (to over 4000) in the last three years due to the increasing commercialisation of space. Satellite constellations with a total of over 400,000 satellites are proposed to be launched in the near future. Many of these satellites are highly reflective, resulting in a high optical brightness that affects ground-based astronomical observations across the electromagnetic spectrum. Despite this, the potential effect of these satellites on Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) has so far been assumed to be negligible due to their nanosecond integration times. This has, however, never been verified. We aim to identify satellite trails in data taken by the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) IACT array in Namibia, using Night Sky Background (NSB) data from the CT5 camera installed in 2019. We determine which observation times and pointing directions are affected the most, and evaluate the impact on Hillas parameters used for classification and reconstruction of high-energy Extensive Air Shower events. Finally, we predict how future planned satellite launches will affect gamma-ray observations with IACTs.

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arXiv2023

Cosmic ray processes in galactic ecosystems

Galaxy evolution is an important topic, and our physical understanding must be complete to establish a correct picture. This includes a thorough treatment of feedback. The effects of thermal-mechanical and radiative feedback have been widely considered, however cosmic rays (CRs) are also powerful energy carriers in galactic ecosystems. Resolving the capability of CRs to operate as a feedback agent is therefore essential to advance our understanding of the processes regulating galaxies. The effects of CRs are yet to be fully understood, and their complex multi-channel feedback mechanisms operating across the hierarchy of galaxy structures pose a significant technical challenge. This review examines the role of CRs in galaxies, from the scale of molecular clouds to the circum-galactic medium. An overview of their interaction processes, their implications for galaxy evolution, and their observable signatures is provided and their capability to modify the thermal and hydrodynamic configuration of galactic ecosystems is discussed. We present recent advancements in our understanding of CR processes and interpretation of their signatures, and highlight where technical challenges and unresolved questions persist. We discuss how these may be addressed with upcoming opportunities.

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