SearcharxivSearch

arXiv subjects

M. Sasaki

Publications and source records attributed to M. Sasaki.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Ultraluminous X-ray sources in the first eROSITA survey I. Candidate catalogs

Ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are luminous non-nuclear X-ray point sources embedded in galaxies. Their luminosities exceeding 10^39 erg/s potentially require sub-Eddington accretion by objects with masses from ~10^2$M_{\odot}$ to ~10^4$M_{\odot}$ or supercritical accretion beyond the Eddington limit by stellar mass black holes or neutron stars. We identified ULXs by searching for X-ray counterparts in the ~10^5 galaxies of the HECATE catalog in the footprint of the first eROSITA all-sky survey, while excluding nuclear regions to avoid the selection of active galactic nuclei (AGN). We characterized the completeness of the sample and its contamination by unidentified AGN and determined the influence of source confusion. The catalog is unaffected by X-ray selection biases. We removed known contaminants such as supernovae, stars, and AGN, and manually vetted all candidates to further remove contaminants. We derived the X-ray selection function and fraction of unidentified AGN interlopers using a simulation with subsequent source detection. We present two samples of ULX candidates. The main sample consists of 90 sources with highly confident X-ray detections, 53 of which are identified for the first time. This sample is complete to a distance of ~7Mpc, contains at most 29% of unknown background AGN, and is mostly unaffected by source confusion. Several candidates are newly identified even though their locations have been observed by other instruments before, and some previously reported candidates we expected to identify are absent from our sample, demonstrating the transient behavior of ULXs. Based on our list of less confident detections, we also provide an extended catalog of 260 sources identified as potential candidates for further ULX identifications. Of these, 245 are identified as potential candidates for the first time. (Abridged)

astro-ph.HE

Search for gamma-ray spectral lines from dark matter annihilation with the H.E.S.S. Inner Galaxy Survey

Spectral gamma-ray line features are expected as key signatures from dark matter (DM) annihilations of TeV-scale particle DM. Observations of the Galactic Centre with atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes are unique to probe thermal-relic TeV particle DM, well beyond the reach of direct detection and collider searches. We report here on the search for line signals in very-high-energy gamma rays using data from the Inner Galaxy Survey, consisting of 546 hours of H.E.S.S. observations of the inner few degrees of the Galactic Centre. No significant signal is detected. We then compute the exclusion limits on the annihilation line cross section $\langle \sigma v \rangle_{\rm line}$, with a two-dimensional log-likelihood ratio test statistics, exploiting spectral and spatial features of the DM signal. Assuming an Einasto DM density profile for the Milky Way, our results provide the most constraining limits so far, reaching $\langle \sigma v \rangle_{\rm line} = 2.3$ $\times$ $10^{-28}$ and $2.4 \times$ $10^{-27}$ cm$^3$s$^{-1}$ for DM masses of 1 and 10 TeV, respectively. The present limits are used to constrain the widely searched Wino, Higgsino and Quintuplet models. For the first time, thermal Higgsino DM is probed for DM Milky Way models.

astro-ph.HE

The SRG/eROSITA All-Sky Survey DR2: Cumulative X-ray catalogues from the first three surveys and multi-wavelength counterparts in the western Galactic hemisphere

The eROSITA telescope array on board the Spektrum-Roentgen-Gamma (SRG) mission began its all-sky survey program in December 2019, scanning the sky at an approximately six-month cadence. Here, we present new catalogues of point-like and extended X-ray sources derived from the first three completed eROSITA all-sky surveys (eRASS:3), covering the western Galactic hemisphere, which Germany's eROSITA consortium holds proprietary rights for. We describe the observational strategy, data processing, and analysis pipelines. We also characterise the resulting X-ray source populations. The eRASS:3 main catalogue contains nearly two million sources, including 1,911,744 point-like and 63,796 extended sources, detected in the 0.2-2.3 keV energy band, eROSITA's most sensitive energy window. This volume has doubled the X-ray source content of eRASS1 and provides a comprehensive census of X-ray-emitting objects across diverse astrophysical classes. We also released a secondary hard catalogue of nearly 15,000 sources detected in the harder 2.3-5.0 keV energy band. In addition, we released six catalogues, three for the main sample and three for the hard sample, in which we identify and classify the optical and infrared counterparts of eRASS:3 point-like sources. This approach delivers a homogeneous, high-quality identification of mostly extragalactic X-ray emitters; for example, we estimate that approximately 88% of the 1.4 million counterparts identified within the footprints of the Legacy Survey Imaging for DESI are extragalactic sources. This work has enabled the generation of samples optimised for completeness and purity, while expanding the discovery space for rare populations. The second data release (DR2) of the SRG/eROSITA all-sky survey is a catalogue-only release, comprising the catalogues presented in this work together with an updated version of the eROSITA upper flux limit server.

astro-ph.HE

Supernova remnants in the new radio astronomy era

Supernova remnants (SNRs) are what is left after stellar explosions, when the stellar ejecta, the explosion shock and the circumstellar medium interact. Despite being among the first objects studied in radio astronomy, observational difficulties have so far prevented a definitive characterisation, which would help answer open questions related to these sources. It is debated which is the contribution of SNRs to Galactic cosmic rays, or how the interaction with the surrounding environments influences the particle energetics. The SKA precursors are providing valuable and unexpected discoveries on SNRs, thanks to their unique capabilities to probe spatial scales from a few arcseconds to a few degrees with a sensitivity of tens of microjansky. Accurate integrated flux density measurements and arcsecond-scale spectral-index maps are now possible for tens of SNRs, substantially expanding the small subset of remnants traditionally studied in great detail. SKA will markedly enhance current observations by providing: higher sensitivity, enabling the detection of fainter SNRs also in polarisation, revealing diffuse structures and the underlying magnetic field configuration; higher angular resolution, allowing detailed mapping of compact remnants and reducing depolarisation in fine structures, tracing filaments and shocks fronts; wider frequency coverage to probe unexplored spectral windows, where spectral turnovers and breaks or cut-off may occur, establishing a direct connection to X-ray and {\gamma}-ray emission that constrains the electron population, and enabling accurate modelling of the non-thermal emission across the electromagnetic spectrum; improved image fidelity for more reliable cross-matching with other wavelengths, leading to a better understanding of the SNR-interstellar medium interplay.

astro-ph.HE

Gamma-Ray Constraints on Heavy Axion-Like-Particle Decays from Fermi-LAT and H.E.S.S. Blazar Spectra

The propagation of very-high-energy (VHE; $E_{\gamma} \geq 100$ GeV) gamma rays from extragalactic sources is affected by interactions with photons of the extragalactic background light (EBL), resulting in pair production that attenuates the intrinsic gamma-ray flux. This interaction renders the Universe increasingly opaque to VHE photons at high energies and redshifts. New physics scenarios involving axion-like particles (ALPs) could modify this expected optical depth. In particular, ALPs with masses $m_a \sim 10$ eV can decay into two photons over cosmological timescales, thereby contributing to the diffuse EBL. If such ALPs constitute a significant fraction of the dark matter density, their decay would enhance the EBL intensity and consequently increase the gamma-ray optical depth. In this study, we investigate this scenario using a large sample of gamma-ray spectra observed with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) and the Fermi Large Area Telescope. We model the contribution of decaying ALPs to the EBL and assess their impact on the spectra of blazars across redshifts. By comparing these observations with standard EBL models, we place constraints on the properties of heavy ALPs, specifically their mass and photon coupling, and evaluate their viability as a dark matter candidate capable of modifying the gamma-ray transparency of the Universe. From the combined analysis, and under the assumption that ALPs constitute the entire dark matter density, we derive 95% confidence exclusion limits on the photon-ALP coupling down to $g_{a\gamma} \sim 7 \times 10^{-12}$ GeV$^{-1}$ for masses $m_a\sim 15$ eV. These constraints are competitive with existing astrophysical bounds and provide complementary sensitivity to other techniques, closing a previously unconstrained region of parameter space in the $m_a \sim 2.5$-$20$ eV range.

astro-ph.HE

Search for long-term variability of HESS J1745-290

At the center of our Galaxy lies the bright {\gamma}-ray point-like source HESS J1745-290, which is compatible in position with Sgr A star, although an association between the two remains uncertain. Using data obtained between 2004 and 2019 with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) on the Galactic center region, we studied the variability of HESS J1745-290 over 353 hours of observations collected over 16 years, representing the largest dataset gathered yet on this region at TeV energies. We performed a 3D maximum-likelihood analysis of the central source and the diffuse {\gamma}-ray emission in the Galactic center region. This analysis allowed us to extract the spectral and morphological intrinsic behavior of the two components. By performing this analysis on an annual basis, we derived the light curve of HESS J1745-290 and the diffuse emission over the past 16 years. The 3D maximum-likelihood analysis method allowed us to separate the central source from the overlapping diffuse emission, enabling a recalibration of the former by the latter and alleviating some of the systematic effects. We find no long-term or yearly variability. We also provide an estimate of the sensitivity of H.E.S.S. to variation of this specific source over 16 years. We rule out any yearly gamma-ray flux variation of this source larger than 30 percent, as well as any linear flux variation exceeding 30% over this time period.

astro-ph.HE

ASKAP EMU detection of an Odd Radio Circle (ORC) candidate: J094412-751016 (Anglerfish)

We report diffuse extended radio-continuum emission spatially coinciding with the IR source WISEA J094409.17-751012.8, and a semi-variable star, V687 Carinae. We use 944 MHz radio data from the large-scale Evolutionary Map of the Universe (EMU) survey to analyse this diffuse emission (EMU J094412-751016), which we nickname "Anglerfish". We investigate if the spatially correlated infrared (IR) source, WISEA J094409.17-751012.8, is physically related to Anglerfish. The IR colours of WISEA J094409.17-751012.8 are indicative of an elliptical galaxy, raising the possibility that Anglerfish may belong to the newly-discovered class of extragalactic radio sources known as Odd Radio Circles (ORCs) with WISEA J094409.17-751012.8 as the host galaxy. We also investigate the possibility that Anglerfish is physically related to the star, V687 Carinae, and whether it may be a remnant from a previous epoch of stellar mass-loss. We determine that a physical association between the radio emission and the star is unlikely due to the emission's non-thermal nature and the star's weak stellar winds compared to the theoretical expansion velocity of the 'shell'. It is possible that Anglerfish may be a Galactic high-latitude supernova remnant (SNR); however, we find that the observed size and luminosity are not consistent with this scenario. We also investigate the ORC scenario, which we deem the most likely scenario based on the Anglerfish's observed properties such as size, brightness, lack of other frequency detections, and spectral index. We therefore propose Anglerfish as an ORC candidate, but note that additional radio and optical observations are vital to further constrain the properties and confirm this classification.

astro-ph.GA

Low-mass stars dominate the hot (0.7 keV) Galactic X-ray emission

The circumgalactic medium (CGM) of the Milky Way is composed of a tenuous atmosphere filled with multi-phase plasma, including a warm-hot virialised component. Recent studies suggest a much hotter (~0.7 keV) super-virial component detected in both absorption and emission. We want to shed light on the nature of this putative super-virial component. We analysed the X-ray background as observed by SRG/eROSITA over the entire western Galactic hemisphere. We show that low-mass stars provide a large fraction of the 0.7 keV emission. Indeed, a tight correlation is found between the surface brightness of the 0.7 keV emission and the mass distribution of the Milky Way across a large portion of the western Galactic hemisphere. The correlation coefficient implies an X-ray luminosity per unit of stellar mass comparable to that of the average low-mass stars within 10 pc of the Sun, suggesting that unresolved M dwarfs and F, G, and K type stars dominate the 0.7 keV emission. This emission is asymmetric with respect to the Galactic plane, influenced by the asymmetric distribution of nearby star-forming regions, and broadly consistent with the known offset of the Sun above the Galactic midplane. The remaining signal might be produced by the cumulative emission of stars of different types or ages, in addition to other sources (e.g. hot interstellar medium, Galactic corona, etc.). Assuming that the putative residual hot super-virial atmosphere is homogeneous and has a spherical beta profile with slope $\beta=0.4$, we constrain its density at 10 kpc to be $n_e<4\times10^{-4}$~cm$^{-3}$. Our findings may help refine models of the circumgalactic medium around external galaxies, advancing our understanding of hot baryon flows and galaxy evolution.

astro-ph.GA

Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey(GRAMS) experiment

The Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey (GRAMS) is a next-generation experiment using a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) detector to measure MeV gamma rays and antiparticles. MeV gamma-ray observations are important for understanding multi-messenger and time-domain astronomy, enabling exploration of the universe's most potent events, such as supernovae and neutron star mergers. Despite the significance of MeV gamma-rays, GRAMS could also explore the so-called 'MeV gap' region to improve MeV gamma-ray measurement sensitivity that was restricted by the challenge of accurately reconstructing Compton events. Aside from gamma-ray detection, the GRAMS proposed method also serves as an antiparticle spectrometer, targeting the low-energy range of cosmic antinuclei measurements. This work will provide updates on the current status and progress towards the prototype balloon flight with a small-scale LArTPC (pGRAMS) scheduled for early 2026, as well as the recent progress on antihelium-3 sensitivity calculation.

hep-ex

Multi-frequency radio-continuum study of the LMC SNR N206 (Goat's Eye) and its "zig-zag" PWN

We present new radio-continuum observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) supernova remnant (SNR) N206, which we give the name "Goat's Eye". Goat's Eye contains an interior radio structure that is likely a pulsar wind nebula (PWN), which we analyse in further detail. We use new radio observations from the Australia Telescope Compact Array (ATCA) telescope, as well as several archival radio observations, to calculate spectral indices, and find a steep spectral index for the whole SNR ($\alpha = -0.60\pm0.02$), and a flatter spectral index for the PWN ($\alpha = -0.16\pm0.03$). We also measure the polarisation and magnetic field properties of the PWN. Previously reported as a linear structure, the new observations show an unusual "zig-zag"-like structure, visible in radio-continuum total intensity, linear polarisation, and magnetic field orientations. The origin of this zig-zag structure is unclear, but we propose some origin scenarios that will require further observations to differentiate between.

astro-ph.HE

Discovery of a 9.67-s pulsar in an ultraluminous X-ray source in NGC 4631 with XMM-Newton

Thanks to a recent observation with XMM-Newton, we discovered periodic pulsations at P= 9.6652 +/- 0.0002 s in a new ultraluminous X-ray source (ULX) in the galaxy NGC 4631. This source, dubbed as X-8, shows one of the largest spin-up rates ever observed, dP/dt = (-9.6 +/- 0.5)*1E-8 s/s. These findings indicate that the compact object is a neutron star, and X-8 is a new member of the pulsating ULX class. The 0.3-10 keV luminosity of X-8 is ~3.4E39 erg/s, and its X-ray spectrum can be described by an absorbed disk blackbody or a cut-off power law, similar to what is observed in other pulsating ULXs. We discuss two possible causes for the large spin-up rate: Doppler shift from orbital motion of the neutron star and intrinsic spin-up due to accretion torque. This new ULX pulsar adds a key source to the small known population, and will enable future studies to better constrain the physical mechanisms responsible for their super-Eddington luminosities.

astro-ph.HE

Ultra-luminous X-ray pulsars as sources of TeV neutrinos

We explored the expected properties of the neutrino emission from accreting neutron stars in X-ray binaries using numerical simulations. The simulations are based on a model in which neutrinos are produced by the decay of charged pions and kaons, generated in inelastic collisions between protons accelerated up to TeV energies in the magnetosphere of a magnetized (B~1E12 G) neutron star and protons of the accretion disc. Our results show that this process can produce strong neutrino emission up to a few tens of TeV when the X-ray luminosity is above ~1E39 erg/s, as in ultra-luminous X-ray (ULX) pulsars. We show that neutrinos from a transient Galactic ULX pulsar with L_x ~ 5E39 erg/s can be detected with kilometre-scale detectors such as IceCube if the source is within about 3-4 kpc. We also derived an upper limit on the neutrino flux from the Galactic ULX pulsar Swift J0243.6+6124 using IceCube data, a result that has not been previously reported. Our findings establish a new benchmark for future astrophysical neutrino observations, critical for interpreting data from current and upcoming instruments with significantly improved sensitivity.

astro-ph.HE

Precision spectral measurements of Chromium and Titanium from 10 to 250 GeV$/n$ and sub-Iron to Iron ratio with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope on the ISS

The Calorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET), in operation on the International Space Station since 2015, collected a large sample of cosmic-ray (CR) iron and sub-iron events over a wide energy interval. In this paper we report an update of our previous measurement of the iron flux and we present - for the first time - a high statistics measurement of the spectra of two sub-iron elements Cr and Ti in the energy interval from 10 to 250 GeV/n. The analyses are based on 8 years of data. Differently from older generations of cosmic-ray instruments which, in most cases, could not resolve individual sub-iron elements, CALET can identify each nuclear species from proton to nickel (and beyond) with a measurement of their electric charge. Thanks to the improvement in statistics and a more refined assessment of systematic uncertainties, the iron spectral shape is better resolved, at high energy, than in our previous paper and we report its flux ratio to chromium and titanium. The measured fluxes of Cr and Ti show energy dependences compatible with a single power law with spectral indices $-2.74 \pm 0.06$ and $-2.88 \pm 0.06$, respectively.

astro-ph.HE

Evolutionary Map of the Universe: Detection and Analysis of the Shell Surrounding the Runaway Wolf-Rayet Star WR16

We present the first radio--continuum detection of the circumstellar shell around the well-known WN8 type Wolf-Rayet star WR16 at 943.5\,MHz using the \ac{ASKAP} \ac{EMU} survey. At this frequency, the shell has a measured flux density of 72.2$\pm$7.2\,mJy. Using previous \ac{ATCA} measurements at 2.4, 4.8, and 8.64~GHz, as well as the \ac{EMU} observations of the star itself, we determine a spectral index of $\alpha\,=\,+0.74\pm0.02$, indicating thermal emission. We propose that the shell and star both exhibit thermal emission, supported by the its appearance in near-infrared and H$\alpha$ observations. The latest \textit{Gaia} parallax is used to determine a distance of 2.28$\pm$0.09\,kpc. This star is well-known for its surrounding circular nebulosity, and using the distance and an angular diameter of 8\farcm42, we determine the shell size to be 5.57$\pm$0.22~pc. We use the \textit{Gaia} \acp{PM} of WR16 to determine peculiar velocities of the star as $V_{\alpha}(pec) =$ --45.3$\pm$5.4\,\kms\ and $V_{\delta}(pec) =$ 22.8$\pm$4.7\,\kms, which indicates that the star is moving in a north-west direction, and translates to a peculiar tangential velocity to be 50.7$\pm$6.9\,\kms. We also use these \acp{PM} to determine the shell's origin, estimate an age of $\sim 9500\pm 1300$\,yr, and determine its average expansion velocity to be $280\pm40$\,\kms. This average expansion velocity suggests that the previous transitional phase is a \ac{LBV} phase, rather than a \ac{RSG} phase. We also use the measured flux at 943.5~MHz to determine a mass-loss rate of $1.753\times 10^{-5}~M_\odot~$yr$^{-1}$, and use this to determine a lower-limit on ionising photons of $N_{UV} > 1.406\times 10^{47}~$s$^{-1}$.

astro-ph.SR

Study of a giant Large Magellanic Cloud Supernova Remnant, Veliki (J0450.4-7050)

We present a high-resolution radio-continuum view and a multi-frequency analysis of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) Supernova Remnant (SNR) J0450.4-7050, which we give the nickname Veliki. These high-resolution observations reveal a larger extent than previously measured, making J0450.4-7050 one of the largest SNRs that we know of. Additionally, we observe a higher than expected radio surface brightness and an unusually flat spectral index ($\alpha = -0.26 \pm 0.02$), with little spectral variation over the remnant. We observe a bright H$\alpha$ shell indicating significant cooling over the remnant, but also an excess of [Oiii] on the eastern shock front. We investigate several theoretical scenarios to explain the emission and radio evolution of J0450.4-7050 in the context of the LMC environment, and determine that this is most likely an older, predominantly radiative, SNR with a higher shock compression ratio, which gives a flatter non-thermal spectrum, in combination with a thermal (bremsstrahlung) emission contribution.

astro-ph.HE

Antihelium-3 Sensitivity for the GRAMS Experiment

The Gamma-Ray and AntiMatter Survey (GRAMS) is a next-generation balloon/satellite mission utilizing a Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) detector to measure both MeV gamma rays and antinuclei produced by dark matter annihilation or decay. The GRAMS can identify antihelium-3 events based on the measurements of X-rays and charged pions from the decay of the exotic atoms, Time of Flight (TOF), energy deposition, and stopping range. This paper shows the antihelium-3 sensitivity estimation using a GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation. For the proposed long-duration balloon (LDB) flight program (35 days $ \times $ 3 flights) and future satellite mission (2-year observation / 10-year observation), the sensitivities become 1.47 $\times$ 10$^{-7}$ [m$^2$ s sr GeV/n]$^{-1}$ and 1.55 $\times$ 10$^{-9}$ [m$^2$ s sr GeV/n]$^{-1}$ / $3.10\times10^{-10}$ [m$^2$ s sr GeV/n]$^{-1}$, respectively. The results indicate that GRAMS can extensively investigate various dark matter models through the antihelium-3 measurements.

hep-ex

ASKAP and VLASS search for a radio-continuum counterpart of ultra-high-energy neutrino event KM3-230213A

We present the results of an Australian Square Kilometre Array Pathfinder (ASKAP) 944 MHz and Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) 3~GHz search for a radio-continuum counterpart of the recent ultra-high-energy (UHE) neutrino event, KM3-230213A. Using (ASKAP), we catalog 1052 radio sources within the 1.5$^\circ$ radius search area (68% certainty region) around the particle's calculated origin, 10 of which we classify as blazar candidates based on their radio spectra. The most prominent radio source in the search area is the nearby spiral galaxy UGCA 127 (nicknamed Phaedra, From Greek: $\phi\alpha i\delta\rho\alpha$, a Cretan princess of Greek Mythology, derived from Phaidros, Greek: ${\phi}{\alpha}{\iota}{\delta}{\rho}o{\varsigma}$, meaning 'bright'.). Its non-thermal radio spectrum classifies it as a non-blazar active galactic nucleus (AGN). We also present an extended radio source, WISEA J061715.89-075455.4 (nicknamed Hebe, From Greek: $H{\beta}{\eta}$, the Greek goddess of youth.), located only ~7' from the geometric center of the search area, with a very unusual highly polarized compact component. Finally, we present a strong radio source, EMU J062248-072246 (nicknamed Narcissus, From Greek $N{\alpha}{\rho}{\kappa}{\iota}{\sigma}{\sigma}o{\zeta}$ was a self-absorbed hunter from Thespiae in Boeotia.), which has a maximum self-absorption spectral slope of +2.5 at low frequencies, and exhibits ~25% flux density variability over the ~5-year VLASS 3~GHz survey.

astro-ph.HE

Diprotodon on the sky. The Large Galactic Supernova Remnant (SNR) G278.94+1.35

We present a re-discovery of G278.94+1.35 as possibly one of the largest known Galactic supernova remnants (SNR) - that we name Diprotodon. While previously established as a Galactic SNR, Diprotodon is visible in our new EMU and GLEAM radio continuum images at an angular size of 3.33x3.23 deg, much larger than previously measured. At the previously suggested distance of 2.7 kpc, this implies a diameter of 157x152 pc. This size would qualify Diprotodon as the largest known SNR and pushes our estimates of SNR sizes to the upper limits. We investigate the environment in which the SNR is located and examine various scenarios that might explain such a large and relatively bright SNR appearance. We find that Diprotodon is most likely at a much closer distance of $\sim$1 kpc, implying its diameter is 58x56 pc and it is in the radiative evolutionary phase. We also present a new Fermi-LAT data analysis that confirms the angular extent of the SNR in gamma-rays. The origin of the high-energy emission remains somewhat puzzling, and the scenarios we explore reveal new puzzles, given this unexpected and unique observation of a seemingly evolved SNR having a hard GeV spectrum with no breaks. We explore both leptonic and hadronic scenarios, as well as the possibility that the high-energy emission arises from the leftover particle population of a historic pulsar wind nebula.

astro-ph.HE