Observations of the magnetars 4U 0142+61 and 1E 2259+586 with the MAGIC telescopes

Backes, M.; Rea, N.; Zanin, R.; Zandanel, F.; Zabalza, V.; Weitzel, Q.; Wagner, R. M.; Vogler, P.; Uellenbeck, M.; Treves, A.; Toyama, T.; Torres, D. F.; Tibolla, O.; Teshima, M.; Tescaro, D.; Terzić, T.; Temnikov, P.; Tavecchio, F.; Takami, H.; Takalo, L.; Surić, T.; Sun, S.; Storz, J.; Steinke, B.; Stamerra, A.; Stamatescu, V.; Spiro, S.; Spanier, F.; Sobczynska, D.; Snidaric, I.; Sitarek, J.; Sillanpää, A.; Shore, S. N.; Schweizer, T.; Schultz, C.; Scapin, V.; Scalzotto, V.; Satalecka, K.; Salvati, M.; Saito, T. Y.; Saito, K.; Saggion, A.; Rügamer, S.; Rico, J.; Ribó, M.; Rhode, W.; Reinthal, R.; Reichardt, I.; Puljak, I.; Prandini, E.; Prada Moroni, P. G.; Prada, F.; Pochon, J.; Pilia, M.; Persic, M.; Partini, S.; Paredes, J. M.; Paoletti, R.; Paneque, D.; Palatiello, M.; Paiano, S.; Orito, R.; Nowak, N.; Nilsson, K.; Nieto, D.; Niedzwiecki, A.; Munar-Adrover, P.; Moralejo, A.; Moldón, J.; Mirzoyan, R.; Miranda, J. M.; Meucci, M.; Mazin, D.; Martínez, M.; Mariotti, M.; Marcote, B.; Maraschi, L.; Mannheim, K.; Mankuzhiyil, N.; Maneva, G.; Makariev, M.; Lorenz, E.; López-Oramas, A.; López-Coto, R.; López, M.; Lombardi, S.; Lindfors, E.; Lewandowska, N.; Leonardo, E.; Lelas, D.; La Barbera, A.; Kushida, J.; Krause, J.; Krähenbühl, T.; Knoetig, M. L.; Klepser, S.; Kadenius, V.; Jogler, T.; Jankowski, F.; Huber, B. et al.
Bibliographical reference

Astronomy and Astrophysics, Volume 549, id.A23, 4 pp.

Advertised on:
1
2013
Number of authors
157
IAC number of authors
9
Citations
10
Refereed citations
6
Description
Context. Magnetars are an extreme, highly magnetized class of isolated neutron stars whose large X-ray luminosity is believed to be driven by their high magnetic field. Aims: We study for the first time the possible very high energy γ-ray emission above 100 GeV from magnetars, observing the sources 4U 0142+61 and 1E 2259+586. Methods: We observed the two sources with atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes in the very high energy range (E > 100 GeV). 4U 0142+61 was observed with the MAGIC I telescope in 2008 for about 25 h and 1E 2259+586 was observed with the MAGIC stereoscopic system in 2010 for about 14 h. The data were analyzed with the standard MAGIC analysis software. Results: Neither magnetar was detected. Upper limits to the differential and integral flux above 200 GeV were computed using the Rolke algorithm. We obtain integral upper limits to the flux of 1.52 × 10-12 cm-2 s-1 and 2.7 × 10-12 cm-2 s-1 with a confidence level of 95% for 4U 0142+61 and 1E 2259+586, respectively. The resulting differential upper limits are presented together with X-ray data and upper limits in the GeV energy range. FITS files are only available at the CDS via anonymous ftp to cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr(130.79.128.5) or via http://cdsarc.u-strasbg.fr/viz-bin/qcat?J/A+A/549/A23
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Particle Astrophysics
The MAGIC Collaboration is integrated by 20 research institutes and university departments from Armenia, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland and USA. The collaboration comprises two 17m diameter telescopes, located at the Roque de los Muchachos Observatory, designed to measure the Cherenkov radiation associated with
Ramón
García López