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High-energy observations of PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 through the 2014 periastron passage: Connecting x-rays to the GeV Flare
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

High-energy observations of PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 through the 2014 periastron passage: Connecting x-rays to the GeV Flare

P.H.T. Tam, K.L. Li, J. Takata, A.T. Okazaki, C.Y. Hui and A.K.H. Kong
Astrophysical Journal Letters, Vol.798(1), L26
01/01/2015

Abstract

Gamma rays: Stars Pulsars: Individual (PSR B1259-63) X-rays: Binaries
The binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 is well sampled in radio, X-rays, and TeV γ-rays, and shows orbital-phase- dependent variability in these frequencies. The first detection of GeV γ-rays from the system was made around the 2010 periastron passage. In this Letter, we present an analysis of X-ray and γ-ray data obtained by the Swift/XRT, NuSTAR/FPM, and Fermi/LAT, through the recent periastron passage which occurred on 2014 May 4. While PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 was not detected by the Large Area Telescope before and during this passage, we show that the GeV flares occurred at a similar orbital phase as in early 2011, thus establishing the repetitive nature of the post-periastron GeV flares. Multiple flares each lasting for a few days have been observed and short-term variability is seen as well. We also found X-ray flux variation contemporaneous with the GeV flare for the first time. Strong evidence of the keV-to-GeV connection came from the broadband high-energy spectra, which we interpret as synchrotron radiation from the shocked pulsar wind.
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https://doi.org/10.1088/2041-8205/798/1/L26View
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