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Updated: May 25, 2026
06:28
Visualization of Low-Level Gamma Radiation Sources Using a Low-Cost, High-Sensitivity, Omnidirectional Compton Camera
Published on: January 30, 2020
Periodic emission from the gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856
Fermi LAT Collaboration1, M Ackermann, M Ajello
1W. W. Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Kavli Institute for Particle Astrophysics and Cosmology, Department of Physics and SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 17, 2012
Summary
Astronomers discovered a rare gamma-ray binary, 1FGL J1018.6-5856, using the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT). This system
Area of Science:
- Astrophysics
- High-energy astrophysics
- Binary star systems
Background:
- Gamma-ray binaries are rare, despite predictions of dozens in our galaxy.
- Their emission originates from interactions between compact objects (neutron stars or black holes) and their companions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize new gamma-ray binaries.
- To investigate the nature of the celestial object 1FGL J1018.6-5856.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) for gamma-ray observations.
- Identified and analyzed variable X-ray, optical, and radio counterparts.
Main Results:
- 1FGL J1018.6-5856 exhibits periodic modulation in gamma-ray intensity and spectrum with a 16.6-day period.
- A variable X-ray counterpart peaked simultaneously with gamma-ray emission.
- An O6V((f)) star and a modulated radio counterpart were identified.
Conclusions:
- 1FGL J1018.6-5856 is confirmed as a gamma-ray binary.
- The detection of this system implies the existence of other, fainter gamma-ray binaries in the Milky Way.
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