arXiv subjects

Sara Buson

Publications and source records attributed to Sara Buson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2026

Evidence for a bursty $\gamma$-ray QPO in the neutrino-associated FSRQ PKS 1424$-$418 using Fast Template Periodograms and Machine Learning

Standard frequency-domain searches for quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in active galactic nuclei generally assume sinusoidal variability. However, $\gamma$-ray blazar emission often shows asymmetric flares and localized bursts, causing spectral leakage that can reduce the sensitivity of conventional methods to non-sinusoidal periodic signals. We analyze a blind sample of 100 high-cadence (7-day binned) Fermi-LAT blazar light curves. After baseline detrending with Singular Spectrum Analysis, we apply the Fast Template Periodogram using three template families: a sinusoid, a Gaussian burst, and an empirical asymmetric template derived from PG 1553+113. Candidate signals are then evaluated with a Random Forest classifier trained on $5\times10^4$ simulated light curves to distinguish genuine periodic phase structure from stochastic red noise. We identify nine $>3\sigma$ periodicity candidates. Three persistent QPOs, including PG 1553+113, are recovered by all template models, whereas six additional candidates are strongly suppressed under the standard sinusoidal assumption but become detectable with morphology-aware templates. Machine learning validation rejects five of these as lacking stable phase coherence. The remaining candidate, PKS 1424$-$418, shows a structurally stable 4.8-year periodicity with a source-specific significance of $3.76\sigma$ (approximately $2.4\sigma$ after accounting for the trial factor of the 100-source sample). These results demonstrate that morphology-aware periodograms, combined with structural machine learning validation, improve the detection of burst-dominated QPOs that are difficult to identify with traditional harmonic searches.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2026

Single-source-class interpretation of the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux

We explore the interpretation that the diffuse astrophysical neutrino flux is dominated by a single standard candle-like source class. Since recent observations favor a broken power law with a spectral break around 30 TeV, we postulate that the $p\gamma$ channel is the dominant neutrino production process creating a peak at these energies. We use a SOPHIA-based photo-pion interaction model with a thermal target including high-energy processes, such as multi-pion production, which turns out to be relevant for the interpretation. We demonstrate that target photon temperatures 0.1 to 1 keV are preferred in a multi-parameter fit, whereas the maximal neutrino energies can be limited by A) soft injection spectra, B) a maximal proton energy in the PeV range, or C) magnetic field effects on the secondary muons, pions, and kaons with B in the few 10 kG range. We predict that future measurements, such as of the neutrino flavor composition or neutrino-antineutrino ratio (Glashow resonance), can discriminate scenarios. We also point out that the parameters obtained in our generic approach, such as in the strong magnetic field values, might be indicative for an AGN core origin as a driver of the diffuse flux.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

The changing look of the neutrino-emitter blazar candidate 5BZQ J1243+4043

In recent years, changing-look blazars have called the traditional view of BL Lacs-flat spectrum radio quasars into question within the empirical classification of blazars. Based on the intensity of optical lines, they appear to transition between the two classes over time. We focus on the blazar 5BZQ J1243+4043, recently proposed as a promising candidate for the emission of high-energy neutrinos observed by the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and reported as a changing-look blazar in the literature. We study the spectral properties of this blazar, inferring its radiation field and accretion regime across different epochs. This study presents new optical spectroscopy observations of 5BZQ J1243+4043 taken with Gran Telescopio Canarias. We used this new dataset and two optical spectra available from the literature to investigate the continuum and line emissions and pinpoint the physical properties of the source. In particular, we used the emission lines to probe the accretion regime. The newly collected data for 5BZQ J1243+4043 shows broad emission lines, consistent with the spectrum of the first epoch and the redshift z = 1.5181$\pm$0.0002 known from the literature. For the second epoch, the spectrum appears featureless and so, we placed limits on the emission lines and related properties. We observed spectral variability for both the continuum and line emissions among the three spectra. Nonetheless, the accretion properties of the blazar generally remain unvaried, indicating that the intrinsic physics stays the same across the three epochs. In the broader multi-messenger context, this suggests that, despite the changing look in the optical band, the candidate neutrino-emitter blazar 5BZQ J1243+4043 is still characterized by the presence of intense external radiation fields and radiatively efficient accretion, typical of high-excitation radio galaxies, which may foster neutrino production.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

The physical properties of candidate neutrino-emitter blazars

The processes governing the production of astrophysical high-energy neutrinos are still debated, and the sources originating them remain an open question. Among the putative emitters, active galactic nuclei have gained increasing attention. Blazars, in particular, stand out due to their ability to accelerate particles in environments with external radiation fields. Recent observations suggest they may contribute to the neutrino flux detected by IceCube. We study the physical properties of a subsample of 52 blazars proposed as candidate neutrino emitters, based on a positional cross-correlation analysis between IceCube hotspots and the 5BZCat catalog. We aim to provide a first characterization of their central engines and physical nature, to explore the potential link with neutrino production. We analyze the optical spectroscopic properties of the 52 candidate neutrino-emitter blazars to infer their accretion regime. The study is complemented by radio and $\gamma$-ray data, which trace the intrinsic jet power. We compare the sample to other blazar populations in the literature, perform statistical tests, and explore, through simulations, the applicability of methods that include censored data. Overall, the target sample shows properties compatible with the reference samples. We observe a mild tendency to prefer objects with intense radiation fields, typical of radiatively efficient accretors, and high radio power. Among them, 24 are detected by Fermi-LAT, spanning various $\gamma$-ray luminosities. We also show that statistical tests commonly used in the literature need to be handled with caution, as they are sensitive to the number of censored data and the sample size.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Supermassive black holes and their surroundings: MeV signatures

The gravitational potential of supermassive black holes is so powerful that it triggers some of the most intense phenomena in the Universe. Accretion onto these objects and relativistic jet emission from their vicinity are observable across a wide range of frequencies and throughout cosmic history. However, despite this wealth of data, many aspects of their underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Investigating this phenomena across all frequencies is crucial, yet some energy windows are still poorly explored. One such window is the MeV energy range: many key signatures related to the emission from the SMBH environment - both in quiescent and active phases - are expected to lie between one and several hundreds MeV. In this work, we explore some of the open questions regarding the behavior and emission processes in the surroundings of SMBHs, and how these questions might be approached. From the elusive nature of Fermi bubbles around our Galactic Centre, to the origin of high-energy neutrinos in the nuclei and jets of Active Galactic Nuclei, to the nature and emission mechanisms of the most powerful blazars, the MeV window stands out as a crucial key to understanding SMBH physics.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

An Accretion Flare Interpretation for the Ultra-High-Energy Neutrino Event KM3-230213A

We study the origin of the ultra-high-energy (UHE) neutrino event KM3-230213A detected by KM3NeT, focusing on MRC 0614-083 which has been pinpointed as the closest blazar to the neutrino localization exhibiting variable multi-wavelength emission. A joint interpretation of the optical, infrared, and X-ray light curves suggests that MRC 0614-083 has undergone a super-Eddington accretion flare accompanied by efficient proton acceleration. That flare has initiated a delayed infrared echo within the surrounding dust torus, which serves as a target for photomeson ($p\gamma$) interactions such that a self-consistent picture emerges that complements the blazar jet scenario: the predicted UHE neutrino flux is at the level expected from joint $E^{-2}$ fit with the IceCube measurements at lower energies, the variable nature of the event alleviates the tension with IceCube limits, and the accompanying electromagnetic cascade describes the X-ray flare around the neutrino detection time. Since a key remaining uncertainty is the unknown redshift of the source, we strongly encourage optical/ultraviolet spectroscopic measurements to determine its redshift.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

Distortions in Periodicity Analysis of Blazars: The Impact of Flares

Blazars, a unique class of active galactic nuclei, exhibit highly variable emission across the electromagnetic spectrum. This variability frequently manifests as intense flaring events, sparking an ongoing debate in recent literature about whether these flares exhibit periodic behavior in certain sources. However, many blazars also show clear signs of stochastic, uncorrelated flares that do not follow a regular pattern. This paper explores how the presence of one such of these stochastic flares can distort an intrinsically periodic pattern of emission in blazars. Our results demonstrate that, depending on the specific circumstances, the deviations in significance and periods can exceed 100\%. Sometimes, these deviations can be so severe that they eliminate any evidence of a periodic pattern. These findings highlight the dramatic impact that flares can have on periodicity searches. To confront this challenge, we propose an innovative approach, the Singular Spectrum Analysis method, which appears more robust against the effects of flares. As an alternative solution, we also propose the sigma clipping technique to mitigate the impact of flares. This framework offers a valuable foundation for analyzing periodicity in similar astrophysical sources that are also subject to stochastic flaring events.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2025

X-ray Spectral Variability as Probe of Multimessenger Emission in Blazar 5BZB J0630-24064

X-ray observations are essential for understanding the multimessenger emission mechanisms of active galactic nuclei (AGN). Blazars, a subset of AGN whose X-ray emission predominantly originates from relativistic jets, have been proposed as promising high-energy neutrino sources. In this work, we study the candidate neutrino-emitting blazar 5BZB J0630-24064, which has been observed over multiple epochs with the XMM-Newton, NuSTAR, Neil Gehrels Swift-XRT, and eROSITA observatories. Analysis of the X-ray spectra in the 2.0-10.0 keV band shows significant variability, with high flux states adhering to a power-law model indicative of jet emission. However, during low-flux states, the spectrum reveals an additional component at hard-X-rays, indicating a transition from jet-dominated to multi-component X-ray emission, possibly associated with hadronic processes. To investigate this spectral evolution, we tested various models and found it to be consistent with corona emission or photoionised absorption processes typically observed in obscured AGN. The identification of the X-ray spectral variability in 5BZB J0630-24064, combined with its potential for neutrino production, opens new perspectives in multimessenger astrophysics of blazars highlighting the synergies between the mechanisms of the jet and the nuclear environment.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2024

Decade-long periodicity study of 2FHL blazars with historical optical data

In our recent investigation, we utilized a century's worth of archival optical data to search for a decade-long periodicity from the blazar PG 1553+113, finding a hint of a 22-yr period. Building on this foundation, the current study extends our analysis to include 10 blazars from the Fermi-Large Area Telescope Second Catalog of Hard Sources (2FHL) catalogue to uncover similar long-term periodic behaviour. To ensure the reliability of our findings, we consider the impact of observational limitations, such as temporal gaps and uneven sampling, which could potentially introduce artefacts or false periodic signals. Our analysis initially identifies decade-scale periodicity in four of these blazars (AP Librae, MKN 421, MKN 501, PG 1246+586). However, further investigation reveals that three of these are likely influenced by noise and poor sampling. The most promising candidate, approximately 51 $\pm$ 9 yr signal in MKN 421, corresponds to fewer than three full cycles and cannot be considered significant. Furthermore, global significance suggests none of the candidate periodicities meet the threshold for statistical significance. These results underscore the importance of accounting for sampling artefacts and highlight the need for robust methodologies in long-term periodicity searches.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Sub-GeV Gamma Rays from Nearby Seyfert Galaxies and Implications for Coronal Neutrino Emission

Recent observations of high-energy neutrinos by IceCube and gamma rays by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) and the MAGIC telescope have suggested that neutrinos are produced in gamma-ray opaque environments in the vicinity of supermassive black holes. In this work, we present 20 MeV - 1 TeV spectra of three Seyfert galaxies whose nuclei are predicted to be active in neutrinos, NGC 4151, NGC 4945 and the Circinus galaxy, using 14.4 yr of the Fermi LAT data. In particular, we find evidence of sub-GeV excess emission that can be attributed to gamma rays from NGC 4945, as was also seen in NGC 1068. These spectral features are consistent with predictions of the magnetically powered corona model, and we argue that NGC 4945 is among the brightest neutrino active galaxies detectable for KM3Net and Baikal-GVD. On the other hand, in contrast to other reported results, we do not detect gamma rays from NGC 4151, which constrains neutrino emission from the accretion shock model. Future neutrino detectors such as IceCube-Gen2 and MeV gamma-ray telescopes such as AMEGO-X will be crucial for discriminating among the theoretical models.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Hadronic processes at work in 5BZB J0630-2406

Recent observations are shedding light on the important role that active galactic nuclei (AGN) play in the production of high-energy neutrinos. In this study, we focus on one object, 5BZB J0630-2406, which is among the blazars recently proposed as associated with neutrino emission during the first 7-yr IceCube observations. Modelling the quasi-simultaneous, broad-band spectral energy distribution, we explore various scenarios from purely leptonic to lepto-hadronic models, testing the inclusion of external photon fields. This theoretical study provides a complementary testing ground for the proposed neutrino-blazar association. Despite being historically classified as a BL Lac, our study shows that 5BZB J0630-2406 belongs to the relatively rare sub-class of high-power flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs). Our results indicate that interactions between protons and external radiation fields can produce a neutrino flux that is within the reach of the IceCube detector. Furthermore, the spectral shape of the X-ray emission suggests the imprint of hadronic processes related to very energetic protons.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

tilepy: rapid tiling strategies in mid/small FoV observatories

The challenges inherent to time-domain multi-messenger astronomy require strategic actions so that adapted, optimized follow-up observations are performed efficiently. In particular, poorly localized events require dedicated tiling and/or targeted, follow-up campaigns so that the region in which the source really is can be efficiently covered, increasing the chances to detect the multi-wavelength counterpart. We have developed the python package "tilepy" to rapidly derive the observation scheduling of large uncertainty localization events by small/mid-FoV instruments. We will describe several mature follow-up scheduling strategies. These range from an option to use of low-resolution grids, to the full integration of sky regions and targeted observations using galaxy catalogs. The algorithms consider the visibility constraints of customisable observatories and allow to schedule observations in both astronomical darkness and in moonlight conditions. Developed initially to provide a rapid response to gravitational wave (GW) alerts by Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs), they have been proven successful, as shown by the GW follow-up during O2 and O3 with the H.E.S.S. telescopes, and particularly in the follow-up of GW170817, the first binary neutron star (BNS) merger ever detected. Here we will present a generalisation of these rapid strategies to other alerts showing large uncertainties in the localization, like Gamma-Ray Burst (GRB) alerts from Fermi-GBM. We will also demonstrate the flexibility of {\it tilepy} in scheduling observations for a large variety of observatories. We will conclude by describing the latest developments of these algorithms that are able to derive optimised follow-up schedules across multiple observatories and networks of telescopes.

astro-ph.IM↗

arXiv2023

Constraining the PG 1553+113 binary hypothesis: interpreting hints of a new, 22-year period

PG 1553+113 is a well-known blazar exhibiting evidence of a $\sim\! 2.2$-yr quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) in radio, optical, X-ray, and $\gamma$-ray bands. Since QPO mechanisms often predict multiple QPOs, we search for a second QPO in its historical optical light curve covering a century of observations. Despite challenging data quality issues, we find hints of a $21.8 \pm 4.7$ yr oscillation. On its own, this $\sim\! 22$-yr period has a modest statistical significance of $1.6\sigma$ when accounting for the look-elsewhere effect. However, the joint significance of both the $2.2$- and $22$-yr periods arising from colored noise alone is $\sim 3.6\sigma$. The next peak of the 22-yr oscillation is predicted to occur around July 2025. We find that such a $\sim\,$10:1 relation between two periods can arise in the gas dynamics of a plausible supermassive black hole binary model of PG 1553+113. While the 22-yr QPO is preliminary, an interpretation of PG 1553+113's two QPOs in this binary model suggests that the binary engine has a mass ratio $\gtrsim 0.2$, an eccentricity $\lesssim 0.1$, and accretes from a disk with characteristic aspect ratio $\sim 0.03$. The putative binary radiates nHz gravitational waves, but the amplitude is $\sim10-100$ times too low for detection by foreseeable pulsar timing arrays.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2023

Extragalactic neutrino factories

Identifying the astrophysical sources responsible for the high-energy cosmic neutrinos has been a longstanding challenge. In a previous work, we report evidence for a spatial correlation between blazars from the 5th Roma-BZCat catalog and neutrino data of the highest detectable energies, i.e. >0.1 PeV, collected by the IceCube Observatory in the southern celestial hemisphere. The statistical significance is found at the level of 2 x 10^{-6} post-trial. In this work we test whether a similar correlation exists in the northern hemisphere, were IceCube is mostly sensitive to <0.1 PeV energies. We find a consistent correlation between blazars and northern neutrino data at the pre-trial p-value of 5.12 x 10^{-4}, and a post-trial chance probability of 6.79 x 10^{-3}. Combining the post-trial probabilities observed for the southern and northern experiments yields a global post-trial chance probability of 2.59 x 10^{-7} for the genuineness of such correlation. This implies that the spatial correlation is highly unlikely to arise by chance. Our studies push forward an all-sky subset of 52 objects as highly likely PeVatron extragalactic accelerators.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

The Fourth Catalog of Active Galactic Nuclei Detected by the Fermi Large Area Telescope -- Data Release 3

An incremental version of the fourth catalog of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) detected by the Fermi-Large Area Telescope is presented. This version (4LAC-DR3) derives from the third data release of the 4FGL catalog based on 12 years of E>50 MeV gamma-ray data, where the spectral parameters, spectral energy distributions (SEDs), yearly light curves, and associations have been updated for all sources. The new reported AGNs include 587 blazar candidates and four radio galaxies. We describe the properties of the new sample and outline changes affecting the previously published one. We also introduce two new parameters in this release, namely the peak energy of the SED high-energy component and the corresponding flux. These parameters allow an assessment of the Compton dominance, the ratio of the Inverse-Compton to the synchrotron peak luminosities, without relying on X-ray data.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Beginning a journey across the universe: the discovery of extragalactic neutrino factories

Neutrinos are the most elusive particles in the Universe, capable of traveling nearly unimpeded across it. Despite the vast amount of data collected, a long standing and unsolved issue is still the association of high-energy neutrinos with the astrophysical sources that originate them. Amongst the candidate sources of neutrinos there are blazars, a class of extragalactic sources powered by supermassive black holes that feed highly relativistic jets, pointed towards the Earth. Previous studies appear controversial, with several efforts claiming a tentative link between high-energy neutrino events and individual blazars, and others putting into question such relation. In this work we show that blazars are unambiguously associated with high-energy astrophysical neutrinos at unprecedented level of confidence, i.e. chance probability of 6 x 10^{-7}. Our statistical analysis provides the observational evidence that blazars are astrophysical neutrino factories and hence, extragalactic cosmic-ray accelerators.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

The isotropic $\gamma$-ray emission above 100 GeV: where do very high energy $\gamma$ rays come from?

Astrophysical sources of very high energy (VHE; $>100$ GeV) $\gamma$ rays are rare, since GeV and TeV photons can be only emitted in extreme circumstances involving interactions of relativistic particles with local radiation and magnetic fields. In the context of the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT), only a few sources are known to be VHE emitters, where the largest fraction belongs to the rarest class of active galactic nuclei: the blazars. In this work, we explore Fermi-LAT data for energies $>100$ GeV and Galactic latitudes $b > |50^{\circ}|$ in order to probe the origin of the extragalactic isotropic $\gamma$-ray emission. Since the production of such VHE photons requires very specific astrophysical conditions, we would expect that the majority of the VHE photons from the isotropic $\gamma$-ray emission originate from blazars or other extreme objects like star-forming galaxies, $\gamma$-ray bursts, and radio galaxies, and that the detection of a single VHE photon at the adopted Galactic latitudes would be enough to unambiguously trace the presence of such a counterpart. Our results suggest that blazars are, by far, the dominant class of source above 100 GeV, although they account for only $22.8^{+4.5}_{-4.1}\%$ of the extragalactic VHE photons. The remaining $77^{+4.1}_{-4.5}\%$ of the VHE photons still have an unknown origin.

astro-ph.HE↗

arXiv2022

Observing the inner parsec-scale region of candidate neutrino-emitting blazars

Context. Many questions on the nature of astrophysical counterparts of high-energy neutrinos remain unanswered. There is increasing evidence of a connection between blazar jets and neutrino events, with the flare of the gamma-ray blazar TXS0506+056 in spatial and temporal proximity of IC170922A representing one of the most outstanding associations of high-energy neutrinos with astrophysical sources reported so far. Aims. With the purpose of characterising potential blazar counterparts to high-energy neutrinos, we analysed the parsec-scale regions of gamma-ray blazars in spatial coincidence with neutrinos detected by IceCube. Specifically, we intended to investigate peculiar radio properties of the candidate counterparts related to neutrino production, as radio flares coincident to the neutrino detection or features in jets morphology (limb brightening, transverse structures). Methods. We collected multi-frequency VLBI follow-up observations of candidate counterparts of four high-energy neutrino events detected by IceCube between January 2019 and November 2020. We analysed their radio characteristics soon after the neutrino arrival in comparison with archival VLBI observations and low-frequency radio observations. We discussed our results with respect to previous statistical works and studies on the case of TXS 0506+056. Results. We identified and analysed in detail five potential neutrino emitting blazars. Our results suggest an enhanced state of radio activity for one source, PKS1725+123. However, the lack of adequate monitoring prior to the neutrino events was a limitation in tracing radio activity and morphological changes in all the sources. Conclusions. We suggest that PKS1725+123 is a promising neutrino source candidate. For the other four sources, our results alone do not allow us to reveal a strong connection between the radio activity state at neutrino arrival.

astro-ph.HE↗