arXiv subjects

J. A. Hinton

Publications and source records attributed to J. A. Hinton.

At least 199 records · Page 11Linked to original sources

arXiv2007

Discovery of an X-ray nebula around PSR J1718-3825 and implications for the nature of the gamma-ray source HESS J1718-385

Combined X-ray synchrotron and inverse-Compton gamma-ray observations of pulsar wind nebulae (PWN) may help to elucidate the processes of acceleration and energy loss in these systems. In particular, such observations provide constraints on the particle injection history and the magnetic field strength in these objects. The newly discovered TeV gamma-ray source HESS J1718-385 has been proposed as the likely PWN of the high spin-down luminosity pulsar PSR J1718-3825. The absence of previous sensitive X-ray measurements of this pulsar, and the unusual energy spectrum of the TeV source, motivated observations of this region with XMM-Newton. The data obtained reveal a hard spectrum X-ray source at the position of PSR 1718-3825 and evidence for diffuse emission in the vicinity of the pulsar. We derive limits on the keV emission from the centroid of HESS J1718-385 and discuss the implications of these findings for the PWN nature of this object.

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arXiv2007

Stellar Intensity Interferometry with Air Cherenkov Telescope arrays

The present generation of ground-based Very High Energy (VHE) gamma-ray observatories consist of arrays of up to four large (> 12m diameter) light collectors quite similar to those used by R. Hanbury Brown to measure stellar diameters by Intensity Interferometry in the late 60's. VHE gamma-ray observatories to be constructed over the coming decade will involve several tens of telescopes of similar or greater sizes. Used as intensity interferometers, they will provide hundreds of independent baselines. Now is the right time to re-assess the potential of intensity interferometry so that it can be taken into consideration in the design of these large facilities.

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arXiv2007

The potential for intensity interferometry with gamma-ray telescope arrays

Intensity interferometry exploits a quantum optical effect in order to measure objects with extremely small angular scales. The first experiment to use this technique was the Narrabri intensity interferometer, which was successfully used in the 1970s to measure 32 stellar diameters at optical wavelengths; some as small as 0.4 milli-arcseconds. The advantage of this technique, in comparison with Michelson interferometers, is that it requires only relatively crude, but large, light collectors equipped with fast (nanosecond) photon detectors. Ground-based gamma-ray telescope arrays have similar specifications, and a number of these observatories are now operating worldwide, with more extensive installations planned for the future. These future instruments (CTA, AGIS, completion 2015) with 30-90 telescopes will provide 400-4000 different baselines that range in length between 50m and a kilometre. Intensity interferometry with such arrays of telescopes attains $50 μ$-arcsecond resolution for a limiting visual magnitude ~8.5. Phase information can be extracted from the interferometric measurement with phase closure, allowing image reconstruction. This technique opens the possibility of a wide range of studies amongst others, probing the stellar surface activity and the dynamic AU scale circumstellar environment of stars in various crucial evolutionary stages. Here we focuse on the astrophysical potential of an intensity interferometer utilising planned new gamma-ray instrumentation.

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arXiv2007

Discovery of the candidate pulsar wind nebula HESS J1718-385 in very-high-energy gamma-rays

Motivated by recent detections of pulsar wind nebulae in very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays, a systematic search for VHE gamma-ray sources associated with energetic pulsars was performed, using data obtained with the H.E.S.S. (High Energy Stereoscopic System) instrument. The search for VHE gamma-ray sources near the pulsar PSR J1718-3825 revealed the new VHE gamma-ray source HESS J1718-385. We report on the results from the HESS data analysis of this source and on possible associations with the pulsar and at other wavelengths. We investigate the energy spectrum of HESS J1718-385 that shows a clear peak. This is only the second time a VHE gamma-ray spectral maximum from a cosmic source was observed, the first being the Vela X pulsar wind nebula.

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arXiv2007

Establishing a connection between high-power pulsars and very-high-energy gamma-ray sources

In the very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray wave band, pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) represent to date the most populous class of Galactic sources. Nevertheless, the details of the energy conversion mechanisms in the vicinity of pulsars are not well understood, nor is it known which pulsars are able to drive PWNe and emit high-energy radiation. In this paper we present a systematic study of a connection between pulsars and VHE gamma-ray sources based on a deep survey of the inner Galactic plane conducted with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.). We find clear evidence that pulsars with large spin-down energy flux are associated with VHE gamma-ray sources. This implies that these pulsars emit on the order of 1% of their spin-down energy as TeV gamma-rays.

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arXiv2007

Energy Dependent Morphology in the PWN candidate HESS J1825-137

Observations with H.E.S.S. revealed a new source of very high-energy (VHE) gamma-rays above 100 GeV - HESS J1825-137 - extending mainly to the south of the energetic pulsar PSR B1823-13. A detailed spectral and morphological analysis of HESS J1825-137 reveals for the first time in VHE gamma-ray astronomy a steepening of the energy spectrum with increasing distance from the pulsar. This behaviour can be understood by invoking radiative cooling of the IC-Compton gamma-ray emitting electrons during their propagation. In this scenario the vastly different sizes between the VHE gamma-ray emitting region and the X-ray PWN associated with PSR B1823-13 can be naturally explained by different cooling timescales for the radiating electron populations. If this scenario is correct, HESS J1825-137 can serve as a prototype for a whole class of asymmetric PWN in which the X-rays are extended over a much smaller angular scales than the gamma-rays and can help understanding recent detections of X-ray PWN in systems such as HESS J1640-465 and HESS J1813-178. The future GLAST satellite will probe lower electron energies shedding further light on cooling and diffusion processes in this source.

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arXiv2007

The Monoceros very-high-energy gamma-ray source

The H.E.S.S. telescope array has observed the complex Monoceros Loop SNR/Rosette Nebula region which contains unidentified high energy EGRET sources and potential very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source. We announce the discovery of a new point-like VHE gamma-ray sources, HESS J0632+057. It is located close to the rim of the Monoceros SNR and has no clear counterpart at other wavelengths. Data from the NANTEN telescope have been used to investigate hadronic interactions with nearby molecular clouds. We found no evidence for a clear association. The VHE gamma-ray emission is possibly associated with the lower energy gamma-ray source 3EG J0634+0521, a weak X-ray source 1RXS J063258.3+054857 and the Be-star MWC 148.

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arXiv2007

Gamma-ray emission associated with Cluster-scale AGN Outbursts

Recent observations have revealed the existence of enormously energetic ~10^61 erg AGN outbursts in three relatively distant galaxy clusters. These outbursts have produced bubbles in the intra-cluster medium, apparently supported by pressure from relativistic particles and/or magnetic fields. Here we argue that if > GeV particles are responsible then these particles are very likely protons and nuclei, rather than electrons, and that the gamma-ray emission from these objects, arising from the interactions of these hadrons in the intra-cluster medium, may be marginally detectable with instruments such as GLAST and HESS.

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arXiv2007

Gamma-ray emission associated with the Cluster-scale AGN Outbursts in the Hydra A system

Recent observations have revealed the existence of an enormously energetic > 10^61 erg AGN outburst in the Hydra A cluster of galaxies. This outburst has produced cavities in the intra-cluster medium, apparently supported by pressure from cosmic rays. Here we argue that if these cavities are filled with > GeV particles, these particles are very likely protons and nuclei. For a plausible spatial distribution of the target gas, based on observations and hydrodynamical simulations, we show that the pi^0-decay gamma-rays from these cosmic-rays may be detectable with the H.E.S.S.experiment.

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arXiv2007

H.E.S.S. observations of galaxy clusters

Clusters of galaxies, the largest gravitationally bound objects in the universe, are expected to contain a significant population of hadronic and leptonic cosmic rays. Potential sources for these particles are merger and accretion shocks, starburst driven galactic winds and radio galaxies. Furthermore, since galaxy clusters confine cosmic ray protons up to energies of at least 1 PeV for a time longer than the Hubble time they act as storehouses and accumulate all the hadronic particles which are accelerated within them. Consequently clusters of galaxies are potential sources of VHE (> 100 GeV) gamma rays. Motivated by these considerations, promising galaxy clusters are observed with the H.E.S.S. experiment as part of an ongoing campaign. Here, upper limits for the VHE gamma ray emission for the Abell 496 and Coma cluster systems are reported.

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arXiv2007

Inverse Compton Scenarios for the TeV Gamma-Ray Emission of the Galactic Centre

The intense Compton cooling of ultra-relativistic electrons in the Klein-Nishina regime in radiation dominated environments, such as that found in the Galactic Centre, may result in radically different electron spectra than those produced by Synchrotron cooling. We explore these effects and their impact on the X-ray and gamma-ray spectra produced in electron accelerators in this region in comparison to elsewhere in our galaxy. We discuss the broad-band emission expected from the newly discovered pulsar wind nebula G 359.95-0.04 and the possible relationship of this X-ray source to the central TeV gamma-ray source HESS J1745-290. Finally we discuss the possible relationship of the Galactic Centre INTEGRAL source IGR J1745.6-2901 to the TeV emission.

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arXiv2007

XMM-Newton observations reveal the X-ray counterpart of the very-high-energy gamma-ray source HESSJ1640-465

We present X-ray observations of the as of yet unidentified very high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source HESSJ1640-465 with the aim of establishing a counterpart of this source in the keV energy range, and identifying the mechanism responsible for the VHE emission. The 21.8 ksec XMM-Newton observation of HESSJ1640-465 in September 2005 represents a significant improvement in sensitivity and angular resolution over previous ASCA studies in this region. These new data show a hard-spectrum X-ray emitting object at the centroid of the H.E.S.S. source, within the shell of the radio Supernova Remnant (SNR) G338.3-0.0. This object is consistent with the position and flux previously measured by both ASCA and Swift-XRT but is now shown to be significantly extended. We argue that this object is very likely the counterpart to HESSJ1640-465 and that both objects may represent the Pulsar Wind Nebula of an as of yet undiscovered pulsar associated with G338.3-0.0.

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arXiv2006

XMM-Newton observations of HESS J1813-178 reveal a composite Supernova remnant

We present X-ray and 12CO(J=1-0) observations of the very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray source HESS J1813-178 with the aim of understanding the origin of the gamma-ray emission. Using this dataset we are able to undertake spectral and morphological studies of the X-ray emission from this object with greater precision than previous studies. NANTEN 12CO(J=1-0) data are used to search for correlations of the gamma-ray emission with molecular clouds which could act as target material for gamma-ray production in a hadronic scenario. The NANTEN 12CO(J=1-0) observations show a giant molecular cloud of mass 2.5 10^5 M$_{\sun}$ at a distance of 4 kpc in the vicinity of HESS J1813-178. Even though there is no direct positional coincidence, this giant cloud might have influenced the evolution of the gamma-ray source and its surroundings. The X-ray data show a highly absorbed non-thermal X-ray emitting object coincident with the previously known ASCA source AX J1813-178 showing a compact core and an extended tail towards the north-east, located in the centre of the radio shell-type Supernova remnant (SNR) G12.82-0.2. This central object shows morphological and spectral resemblance to a Pulsar Wind Nebula (PWN) and we therefore consider that the object is very likely to be a composite SNR. We discuss the scenario in which the gamma-rays originate in the shell of the SNR and the one in which they originate in the central object. We demonstrate, that in order to connect the core X-ray emission to the VHE gamma-ray emission electrons have to be accelerated to energies of at least 1 PeV.

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arXiv2006

Precision Measurement of Optical Pulsation using a Cherenkov Telescope

During 2003, a camera designed to measure the optical pulsations of pulsars was installed on a telescope of the H.E.S.S. array. The array is designed for gamma-ray astronomy in the ~100 GeV - 100 TeV energy regime. The aims of this exercise were two-fold: to prove the pulsar timing capabilities of H.E.S.S. on all relevant time-scales, and to explore the possibility of performing sensitive optical pulsar measurements using the ~100 m^2 mirror of a Cherenkov telescope. Measurements of the Crab pulsar with this instrument demonstrate an order of magnitude sensitivity improvement over previous attempts using Cherenkov telescopes. Here we describe the design and performance of the system and discuss design considerations for future instruments of this type.

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arXiv2005

The STACEE Ground-Based Gamma-Ray Detector

We describe the design and performance of the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE) in its complete configuration. STACEE uses the heliostats of a solar energy research facility to collect and focus the Cherenkov photons produced in gamma-ray induced air showers. The light is concentrated onto an array of photomultiplier tubes located near the top of a tower. The large Cherenkov photon collection area of STACEE results in a gamma-ray energy threshold below that of previous ground-based detectors. STACEE is being used to observe pulsars, supernova remnants, active galactic nuclei, and gamma-ray bursts.

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arXiv2004

The Status of the H.E.S.S. Project

The High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) - is a system of four, 107 m^2 mirror area, imaging Cherenkov telescopes under construction in the Khomas Highland of Namibia (1800 m asl). The H.E.S.S. system is characterised by a low threshold (~ 100 GeV) and a ~1 % Crab flux sensitivity resulting from the good angular resolution and background rejection provided by the stereoscopic technique. The first two telescopes are operational and first results are reported here. The remaining two telescopes (of H.E.S.S. Phase-I) will be commissioned early in 2004.

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arXiv2003

STACEE Observations of Mrk 421 During the 2001 Flare

STACEE is a ground based gamma-ray observatory that uses a heliostat array, built for solar energy research, to detect atmospheric Cherenkov radiation from gamma-ray initiated extensive air showers. During the first half of 2001, a prototype detector, STACEE-48, was used to detect the blazar Markarian 421, which was in an extremely active state. Observations from March to May of 2001 yielded an integral flux of (8.0+/-0.7_{stat}+/-1.5_{sys})x 10^-10 1/cm^2/s at energies above 140+/-20 GeV, and provide some evidence of correlated trends on time scales of a week or more in the GeV and X-ray bands.

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arXiv2002

STACEE Observations of Markarian 421 During an Extended Gamma-Ray Outburst

The active galaxy Markarian 421 underwent a substantial outburst in early 2001. Between January and May of that year, the STACEE detector was used to observe the source in gamma-rays between the energies of 50 and 500 GeV. These observations represent the lowest energy gamma-ray detection of this outburst by a ground-based experiment. Here we present results from these observations, which indicate an average integral gamma-ray flux of (8.0 +/- 0.7 +/- 1.5)x10^-10 1/cm^2/s. above 140 GeV. We also present a light curve for Markarian 421 as observed by STACEE from March to May, and compare our temporal, as well as spectral, measurements to those of other experiments.

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