Fermi-lat gamma-ray detections of classical novae V1369 Centauri 2013 and V5668 Sagittarii 2015

C. C. Cheung, P. Jean, S. N. Shore, Stawarz, R. H D Corbet, J. Knödlseder, Sumner Starrfield, D. L. Wood, R. Desiante, F. Longo, G. Pivato, K. S. Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

68 Scopus citations

Abstract

We report the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) detections of high-energy (>100 MeV) γ-ray emission from two recent optically bright classical novae, V1369 Centauri 2013 and V5668 Sagittarii 2015. At early times, Fermi target-of-opportunity observations prompted by their optical discoveries provided enhanced LAT exposure that enabled the detections of γ-ray onsets beginning ∼2 days after their first optical peaks. Significant γ-ray emission was found extending to 39-55 days after their initial LAT detections, with systematically fainter and longer-duration emission compared to previous γ-ray-detected classical novae. These novae were distinguished by multiple bright optical peaks that encompassed the time spans of the observed γ-rays. The γ-ray light curves and spectra of the two novae are presented along with representative hadronic and leptonic models, and comparisons with other novae detected by the LAT are discussed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number142
JournalAstrophysical Journal
Volume826
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 1 2016

Keywords

  • gamma-rays: stars
  • novae, cataclysmic variables
  • radiation mechanisms: general

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Space and Planetary Science

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