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Modulated high-energy gamma-ray emission from the microquasar Cygnus X-3
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 8, 2009
Summary
High-energy gamma rays have been detected from the microquasar Cygnus X-3 by the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). This discovery provides new insights into the formation of relativistic jets from binary systems.
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- High-energy astrophysics
- X-ray astronomy
Background:
- Microquasars are binary systems with accreting black holes or neutron stars emitting relativistic jets.
- Previous searches for high-energy gamma-ray emission from microquasars have been unsuccessful.
- Cygnus X-3 is a known X-ray binary system and microquasar.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the high-energy gamma-ray emission from the microquasar Cygnus X-3.
- To confirm the association of the Fermi-LAT source with Cygnus X-3.
- To explore the origin of gamma-ray emission in microquasars.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT).
- Analyzed the variability of the high-energy source.
- Correlated gamma-ray flux with radio emission from Cygnus X-3's jets.
- Detected the orbital period of Cygnus X-3 in the gamma-ray data.
Main Results:
- Detected a variable high-energy gamma-ray source coincident with Cygnus X-3.
- Confirmed the identification of the source with Cygnus X-3 through its orbital period.
- Observed a correlation between LAT gamma-ray flux and radio emission from the jets.
- The gamma-ray emission likely originates within the binary system.
Conclusions:
- This is the first unambiguous detection of high-energy gamma-ray emission from a microquasar.
- The findings open new avenues for studying relativistic jet formation within binary systems.
- Cygnus X-3 serves as a new laboratory for high-energy astrophysics research.
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