Showing papers by "L. Maraschi published in 2021"

Broadband Multi-wavelength Properties of M87 during the 2017 Event Horizon Telescope Campaign

Abstract: In 2017, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) Collaboration succeeded in capturing the first direct image of the center of the M87 galaxy. The asymmetric ring morphology and size are consistent with theoretical expectations for a weakly accreting supermassive black hole of mass ∼6.5 × 109 M o˙. The EHTC also partnered with several international facilities in space and on the ground, to arrange an extensive, quasi-simultaneous multi-wavelength campaign. This Letter presents the results and analysis of this campaign, as well as the multi-wavelength data as a legacy data repository. We captured M87 in a historically low state, and the core flux dominates over HST-1 at high energies, making it possible to combine core flux constraints with the more spatially precise very long baseline interferometry data. We present the most complete simultaneous multi-wavelength spectrum of the active nucleus to date, and discuss the complexity and caveats of combining data from different spatial scales into one broadband spectrum. We apply two heuristic, isotropic leptonic single-zone models to provide insight into the basic source properties, but conclude that a structured jet is necessary to explain M87's spectrum. We can exclude that the simultaneous γ-ray emission is produced via inverse Compton emission in the same region producing the EHT mm-band emission, and further conclude that the γ-rays can only be produced in the inner jets (inward of HST-1) if there are strongly particle-dominated regions. Direct synchrotron emission from accelerated protons and secondaries cannot yet be excluded.

MAGIC Observations of the Nearby Short Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 160821B*

Abstract: The coincident detection of GW170817 in gravitational waves and electromagnetic radiation spanning the radio to MeV gamma-ray bands provided the first direct evidence that short gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) can originate from binary neutron star (BNS) mergers. On the other hand, the properties of short GRBs in high-energy gamma-rays are still poorly constrained, with only similar to 20 events detected in the GeV band, and none in the TeV band. GRB 160821B is one of the nearest short GRBs known at z = 0.162. Recent analyses of the multiwavelength observational data of its afterglow emission revealed an optical-infrared kilonova component, characteristic of heavy-element nucleosynthesis in a BNS merger. Aiming to better clarify the nature of short GRBs, this burst was automatically followed up with the MAGIC telescopes, starting from 24 s after the burst trigger. Evidence of a gamma-ray signal is found above similar to 0.5 TeV at a significance of similar to 3 sigma during observations that lasted until 4 hr after the burst. Assuming that the observed excess events correspond to gamma-ray emission from GRB 160821B, in conjunction with data at other wavelengths, we investigate its origin in the framework of GRB afterglow models. The simplest interpretation with one-zone models of synchrotron-self-Compton emission from the external forward shock has difficulty accounting for the putative TeV flux. Alternative scenarios are discussed where the TeV emission can be relatively enhanced. The role of future GeV-TeV observations of short GRBs in advancing our understanding of BNS mergers and related topics is briefly addressed.

H.e.s.s. And magic observations of a sudden cessation of a very-high-energy γ -ray flare in PKS 1510-089 in May 2016

Abstract: The flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) PKS 1510−089 is known for its complex multiwavelength behaviour and it is one of only a few FSRQs detected in very-high-energy (VHE, E > 100 GeV) γ rays. The VHE γ -ray observations with H.E.S.S. and MAGIC in late May and early June 2016 resulted in the detection of an unprecedented flare, which revealed, for the first time, VHE γ -ray intranight variability for this source. While a common variability timescale of 1.5 h has been found, there is a significant deviation near the end of the flare, with a timescale of ∼20 min marking the cessation of the event. The peak flux is nearly two orders of magnitude above the low-level emission. For the first time, a curvature was detected in the VHE γ -ray spectrum of PKS 1510–089, which can be fully explained by the absorption on the part of the extragalactic background light. Optical R -band observations with ATOM revealed a counterpart of the γ -ray flare, even though the detailed flux evolution differs from the VHE γ -ray light curve. Interestingly, a steep flux decrease was observed at the same time as the cessation of the VHE γ -ray flare. In the high-energy (HE, E > 100 MeV) γ -ray band, only a moderate flux increase was observed with Fermi -LAT, while the HE γ -ray spectrum significantly hardens up to a photon index of 1.6. A search for broad-line region (BLR) absorption features in the γ -ray spectrum indicates that the emission region is located outside of the BLR. Radio very-long-baseline interferometry observations reveal a fast-moving knot interacting with a standing jet feature around the time of the flare. As the standing feature is located ∼50 pc from the black hole, the emission region of the flare may have been located at a significant distance from the black hole. If this is indeed a true correlation, the VHE γ rays must have been produced far down in the jet, where turbulent plasma crosses a standing shock.

Investigation of the correlation patterns and the Compton dominance variability of Mrk 421 in 2017

Abstract: Aims. We present a detailed characterisation and theoretical interpretation of the broadband emission of the paradigmatic TeV blazar Mrk 421, with a special focus on the multi-band flux correlations.Methods. The dataset has been collected through an extensive multi-wavelength campaign organised between 2016 December and 2017 June. The instruments involved are MAGIC, FACT, Fermi -LAT, Swift , GASP-WEBT, OVRO, Medicina, and Metsahovi. Additionally, four deep exposures (several hours long) with simultaneous MAGIC and NuSTAR observations allowed a precise measurement of the falling segments of the two spectral components.Results. The very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) gamma rays and X-rays are positively correlated at zero time lag, but the strength and characteristics of the correlation change substantially across the various energy bands probed. The VHE versus X-ray fluxes follow different patterns, partly due to substantial changes in the Compton dominance for a few days without a simultaneous increase in the X-ray flux (i.e., orphan gamma-ray activity). Studying the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) during the days including NuSTAR observations, we show that these changes can be explained within a one-zone leptonic model with a blob that increases its size over time. The peak frequency of the synchrotron bump varies by two orders of magnitude throughout the campaign. Our multi-band correlation study also hints at an anti-correlation between UV-optical and X-ray at a significance higher than 3σ . A VHE flare observed on MJD 57788 (2017 February 4) shows gamma-ray variability on multi-hour timescales, with a factor ten increase in the TeV flux but only a moderate increase in the keV flux. The related broadband SED is better described by a two-zone leptonic scenario rather than by a one-zone scenario. We find that the flare can be produced by the appearance of a compact second blob populated by high energetic electrons spanning a narrow range of Lorentz factors, from to .

Observation of a sudden cessation of a very-high-energy gamma-ray flare in PKS 1510-089 with H.E.S.S. and MAGIC in May 2016

Abstract: The flat spectrum radio quasar (FSRQ) PKS 1510-089 is known for its complex multiwavelength behavior, and is one of only a few FSRQs detected at very high energy (VHE, $E>100\,$GeV) $\gamma$-rays. VHE $\gamma$-ray observations with H.E.S.S. and MAGIC during late May and early June 2016 resulted in the detection of an unprecedented flare, which reveals for the first time VHE $\gamma$-ray intranight variability in this source. While a common variability timescale of $1.5\,$hr is found, there is a significant deviation near the end of the flare with a timescale of $\sim 20\,$min marking the cessation of the event. The peak flux is nearly two orders of magnitude above the low-level emission. For the first time, curvature is detected in the VHE $\gamma$-ray spectrum of PKS 1510-089, which is fully explained through absorption by the extragalactic background light. Optical R-band observations with ATOM reveal a counterpart of the $\gamma$-ray flare, even though the detailed flux evolution differs from the VHE ightcurve. Interestingly, a steep flux decrease is observed at the same time as the cessation of the VHE flare. In the high energy (HE, $E>100\,$MeV) $\gamma$-ray band only a moderate flux increase is observed with Fermi-LAT, while the HE $\gamma$-ray spectrum significantly hardens up to a photon index of 1.6. A search for broad-line region (BLR) absorption features in the $\gamma$-ray spectrum indicates that the emission region is located outside of the BLR. Radio VLBI observations reveal a fast moving knot interacting with a standing jet feature around the time of the flare. As the standing feature is located $\sim 50\,$pc from the black hole, the emission region of the flare may have been located at a significant distance from the black hole. If this correlation is indeed true, VHE $\gamma$ rays have been produced far down the jet where turbulent plasma crosses a standing shock.

Observation of a relatively low luminosity long duration GRB 201015A by the MAGIC telescopes

Abstract: Starting from the first announcement of unequivocal detection of very high energy (VHE) emission from a gamma-ray burst (GRB) by the MAGIC telescopes (GRB 190114C), four additional detections of VHE emission from GRBs by ground-based telescopes were reported. These observations have revealed a new, energetic component that has become an additional probe to explore GRB physics. In order to deepen our understanding of the origin of this new component, and in general of the origin of radiation from GRBs, further observations by VHE instruments are crucial. In this work we report fast follow-up observations by the MAGIC telescopes of GRB 201015A, a GRB detected by the Swift/BAT. As measured by BAT, the prompt emission lasted 9.8 +/- 3.5 seconds, suggesting that this GRB belongs to the class of long events. This was later confirmed by optical observations, which allowed to measure the redshift (𝑧 = 0.42) and found the associated type Ic-BL supernova. Having a prompt isotropic-equivalent energy of 𝐸iso ∼10^{50} erg, this GRB is a relatively low energy event as compared to the population of long GRBs. Observations with the MAGIC telescopes started about 30 seconds after the GRB onset and were performed under good observational conditions. The accurate analysis of the MAGIC data reveals a strong hint of detection and implies a significant energy release in the TeV range, smaller but comparable with that of the prompt emission in the keV-MeV band.

Recent MAGIC results on Galactic binaries

Abstract: X-ray and gamma-ray binaries are systems consisting of a compact object and normally a non-degenerate companion star. Most of these sources have been shown to emit radiation in a broad frequency range, from radio up to X-rays and sometimes gamma rays. We report on recent results in very high-energy gamma rays above 100 GeV obtained by the MAGIC Collaboration for the Galactic X-ray binaries MAXI J1820+070 and 1A 0535+262, and the gamma-ray binary HESS J0632+057. Multiwavelength data at lower energies are also provided for a better contextualisation of the sources.

Multi-epoch monitoring of TXS 0506+056 with MAGIC and MWL partners

Abstract: The measurement of an astrophysical flux of high-energy neutrinos by IceCube is an important step towards finding the long-sought sources of cosmic rays. Nevertheless, the long exposure neutrino sky map shows no significant indication of point sources so far. The real-time followup of neutrino events turned out to be the most successful approach in neutrino point-source searches. It brought, among others, the most compelling evidence for a neutrino point source: the flaring gamma-ray blazar TXS 0506+056 in coincidence with a single high-energy neutrino from IceCube (IceCube-170922A). The fast multiwavelength(MWL) follow-up of this alert was key for establishing this coincidence and constraining the subsequent theoretical modeling for this event. In the long run, accurate and contemporaneous MWL spectral measurements are essential ingredients in investigating the physical processes leading to particle acceleration and emission of radiation. A deeper understanding of those processes allows us to put constraints on the potential neutrino emission. Here we present the light curves and simultaneous spectral energy distributions from November 2017 till February 2021 of MAGIC and MWL monitoring of TXS 0506+056. The more than two-year-long rise and high state of the radio light curve of TXS 0506+056, which started near the time of the IceCube neutrino detection, seems to have ended, as indicated by a steep decrease in the first half of 2021. We also present the theoretical interpretation of our observations.

Protons Spectrum from MAGIC Telescopes data

Abstract: Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs) are designed to detect cosmic gamma rays. As a by-product, IACTs detect Cherenkov flashes generated by millions of hadronic air showers every night. We present the proton energy spectrum from several hundred GeV to several hundred TeV, retrieved from the hadron induced showers detected by the MAGIC telescopes. The protons are discriminated from He and other heavy nuclei by means of using machine learning classification. The energy estimation is based on a specially developed deep neural network regressor. In the last decade, Deep Learning methods gained much interest in the scientific community for their ability to extract complex relations in data and process large datasets in a short time. The proton energy spectrum obtained in this work is compared to the spectra obtained by dedicated cosmic ray experiments.

MAGIC and H.E.S.S. detect VHE gamma rays from the blazar OT081 for the first time: a deep multiwavelength study

Abstract: OT 081 is a luminous blazar well known for its variability in many energy bands. The very-high-energy (VHE; E >100 GeV) gamma-ray emission from the source was discovered by MAGIC and H.E.S.S. during flaring activity in July 2016, after a trigger from the Large Area Telescope (LAT) onboard the Fermi satellite. By analysing the multiwavelength light curves andthe broadband spectral energy distribution (SED), we study the activity of the source and investigate four individual states of activity in the window from MJD 57575 to 57602. The intrinsic gamma-ray spectrum can be described by a power law with spectral indices of 3.27 ± 0.44(MAGIC)and 3.39 ± 0.58(H.E.S.S.) over energy ranges 60–300 GeV and 120–500 GeV, respectively. The combined contemporaneous high-energy (HE;E >100 MeV) through VHE SED shows curvatureand can be described by a log-parabola shape. A simple one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC)model is not sufficient to describe the broadband SED. The presence of broad emission lines in the optical spectrum of the source challenges the categorisation of OT 081 as a BL Lac and, together with the emission scenarios tested, points to the possibility that the source is transitional in nature between a BL Lac and a flat-spectrum radio quasar.

Monitoring the magnetar SGR 1935+2154 with the MAGIC telescopes

Abstract: The Galactic magnetar SGR 1935+2154 was associated with a bright, millisecond-timescale fast radio burst (FRB) which occured in April 2020, during a flaring episode. This was the first time an FRB was unequivocally associated with a Galactic source, and the first FRB for which the nature of the emitting source was identified. Moreover, it was the first FRB with a counterpart at another wavelength correlated in time, an atypical, hard X-ray burst, which provides clear evidence for accompanying non-thermal processes. The MAGIC Telescopes are Imaging Air Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) sensitive to very-high-energy (VHE, E>100 GeV) gamma rays. Located at the center of the camera lies the MAGIC Central pixel, a single fully-modified photosensor-to- readout chain to measure millisecond-duration optical signals, displaying a maximum sensitivity at a wavelength of 350 nm. This allows MAGIC to operate simultaneously both as a VHE gamma- ray and a fast optical telescope. The MAGIC telescopes have monitored SGR 1935+2154 in a multiwavelength campaign involving X-ray, radio and optical facilities. In this contribution, we will show the results on the search for the VHE counterpart of the first SGR-FRB source in this multiwavelength context, as well as the search for fast optical bursts with the MAGIC Central Pixel.

Upper limits on the WIMP annihilation cross section from a joint analysis of dwarf spheroidal satellite galaxy observations with the MAGIC telescopes

Abstract: Dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) are among the best candidates to perform indirect searches for DM, having the highest known mass-to-light ratio and being free of astrophysical gamma-ray emitting sources. The Major Atmospheric Gamma Imaging Cherenkov (MAGIC) telescopes, located on the Canary Island of La Palma, have observed a fair amount of optimal dSphs in the recent years. This is the outcome of diversifying the observation strategy in order to avoid possible biases in target selection and to improve previous results. In this contribution we will report on new MAGIC results obtained from 52.1 hours of observation of the Draco dSph in 2018 and 49.5 hours of the Coma Berenices dSph in 2019. We will also present the results of a joint analysis of Draco and Coma Berenices dSphs with other dSphs observed by MAGIC so far. The selected dataset accounts for 354.4 hours of good quality data, resulting in one of the largest dSphs samples ever collected by an array of Cherenkov telescopes. This allows us to derive the most constraining limits from dSphs, among Cherenkov telescopes, on the WIMP annihilation cross section for different annihilation channels in the WIMP mass range 70 GeV to 100 TeV.

Intensity interferometry with the MAGIC telescopes

Abstract: Due to their large mirror size, fast response to single photons, sensitivity and telescope baselines in the order of 100 m, Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes are ideally suited to perform intensity interferometry observations. In 2019 a test readout setup was installed in the two 17-m diameter MAGIC telescopes to allow performing interferometry measurements with them. The first on-sky measurements were able to detect correlated intensity fluctuations consistent with the stellar diameters of three different stars: Adhara (n CMa), Benetnasch ([ UMa) and Mirzam (V CMa). After the upgrade of the setup in 2021, MAGIC is now equipped with a high-duty-cycle intensity interferometer, already in operation. A technical description of the interferometer and first performance results obtained by measuring several known stellar diameter are presented.

First detection of VHE gamma-ray emission from TXS~1515--273, study of its X-ray variability and spectral energy distribution

Abstract: We report here on the first multi-wavelength (MWL) campaign on the blazar TXS 1515-273, undertaken in 2019 and extending from radio to very-high-energy gamma rays (VHE). Up until now, this blazar had not been the subject of any detailed MWL observations. It has a rather hard photon index at GeV energies and was considered a candidate extreme high-synchrotronpeaked source. MAGIC observations resulted in the first-time detection of the source in VHE with a statistical significance of 7.6$\sigma$. The average integral VHE flux of the source is 6 $\pm$ 1% of the Crab nebula flux above 400 GeV. X-ray coverage was provided by Swift-XRT, XMMNewton, and NuSTAR. The long continuous X-ray observations were separated by $\sim$ 9 h, both showing clear hour scale flares. In the XMM-Newton data, both the rise and decay timescales are longer in the soft X-ray than in the hard X-ray band, indicating the presence of a particle cooling regime. The X-ray variability timescales were used to constrain the size of the emission region and the strength of the magnetic field. The data allowed us to determine the synchrotron peak frequency and classify the source as a flaring high, but not extreme, synchrotron peaked object. Considering the constraints and variability patterns from the X-ray data, we model the broad-band spectral energy distribution. We applied a simple one-zone model, which could not reproduce the radio emission and the shape of the optical emission, and a two-component leptonic model with two interacting components, enabling us to reproduce the emission from radio to VHE band.

BL Lac object 1ES 0647+250, a decade of MWL observations

Abstract: The high-peaked BL Lac object 1ES 0647+250 is one of the few distant blazars detected at very-high-energy (VHE, $E > 100$ GeV) $\gamma$ rays during non-flaring activity. Its redshift is still uncertain, with a recently proposed lower limit of $z > 0.29$. This blazar was first detected by the MAGIC telescopes between 2009 and 2011 during its low state, displaying a flux of around 2% of the Crab Nebula above 100 GeV, but it has shown several periods of high activity, where the VHE $\gamma$-ray flux increased by more than one order of magnitude. The VHE spectra of four observed periods are characterized and the redshift of this source is estimated using the HE and VHE spectral shapes. The multi-wavelength data set collected from 2009 to 2020 introduced in this work will serve as the seed for further studies, including detailed studies of the broad-band spectral energy distribution for different activity levels and multi-band variability and correlation studies.

Studying the long-term spectral and temporal evolution of 1ES 1959+650

Abstract: The high-frequency peaked BL Lac type object (HBL) 1ES 1959+650 is one of the brightest blazars in the very-high-energy (VHE, $E \gtrsim 100$ GeV) gamma-ray sky. HBLs have been proposed as possible neutrino emitters implying the presence of hadrons in the emission mechanisms. In 2002, AMANDA reported neutrino candidates from this source simultaneously observed with a gamma-ray flaring activity without an X-ray emission enhancement, interpreted as an orphan flare. Standard one-zone synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission models cannot explain this behavior. The MAGIC telescopes have been observing 1ES 1959+650 since 2004. An extreme outburst triggered by multiwavelength observations reaching 300% of the Crab nebula flux level above 300 GeV was detected in 2016. Leptonic and hadronic models are equally successful in describing the observed emission. To study the long-term behavior and the characteristics in different emission states of 1ES 1959+650, we have densely monitored it since 2017 for more than 300 hours. Together with the FACT monitoring (more than 2000 hours since 2012), this is the most intense monitoring for any blazar after Mrk421 and Mrk501 in the VHE range. The monitoring shows a decline of the VHE flux with occasional flaring episodes reaching in 2019 a low-state emission corresponding to 10% of the Crab nebula. We present the long-term monitoring study results using multiwavelength data from MAGIC, FACT, Fermi-LAT, Swift, OVRO, and Tuorla. Lastly, we discuss the differences in the broadband spectral energy distributions between the flaring states from 2016 and the low state in 2019.

Recent results on LIV studies using MAGIC telescopes from the observation of GRB 190114C

Abstract: Max-Planck-Institut für Physik, D-80805 München, Germany Department for Physics and Technology, University of Bergen, Bergen NO-5020, Norway Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST), E-08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona), Spain Università di Padova and INFN, I-35131 Padova, Italy University of Rijeka, Department of Physics, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia E-mail: damico@mppmu.mpg.de, giacomo.damico@uib.no

Multiwavelength observations in 2019-2020 of a new very-high-energy gamma-ray emitter: the flat spectrum radio quasar QSO B1420+326

Abstract: The flat-spectrum radio quasar QSO B1420+326 underwent an enhanced $\gamma$-ray flux state seen by Fermi-LAT at the turn of 2019/2020. Compared to the low state both the position and luminosity of the two spectral energy distribution peaks changed by at least two orders of magnitude. The high state resulted in the discovery of the very-high-energy (>100 GeV) $\gamma$-ray emission from the source by the MAGIC telescopes. The organized multiwavelength campaign allow us to trace the broadband emission of the source through different phases of the flaring activity. The source was observed by 20 instruments in radio, near-infrared, optical, ultra-violet, X-ray and $\gamma$-ray bands. We use dedicated optical spectroscopy results to estimate the accretion disc and the dust torus luminosity. The optical spectroscopy shows a prominent FeII bump with flux evolving together with the continuum emission and a MgII line with varying equivalent width. The $\gamma$-ray flare was accompanied by a rotation of the optical polarization vector and emission of a new superluminal radio knot. We model spectral energy distributions in different flare phases in the framework of combined synchrotron-self-Compton and external Compton scenario in which the shape of the electron energy distribution is determined from cooling processes.

arXiv : Combined searches for dark matter in dwarf spheroidal galaxies observed with the MAGIC telescopes, including new data from Coma Berenices and Draco

Abstract: Milky Way dwarf spheroidal galaxies (dSphs) are among the best candidates to search for signals of dark matter annihilation with Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes, given their high mass-to-light ratios and the fact that they are free of astrophysical gamma-ray emitting sources. Since 2011, MAGIC has performed a multi-year observation program in search for Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) in dSphs. Results on the observations of Segue 1 and Ursa Major II dSphs have already been published and include some of the most stringent upper limits (ULs) on the velocity-averaged cross-section $\langle \sigma_{\mathrm{ann}} v \rangle$ of WIMP annihilation from observations of dSphs. In this work, we report on the analyses of 52.1 h of data of Draco dSph and 49.5 h of Coma Berenices dSph observed with the MAGIC telescopes in 2018 and in 2019 respectively. No hint of a signal has been detected from either of these targets and new constraints on the $\langle \sigma_{\mathrm{ann}} v \rangle$ of WIMP candidates have been derived. In order to improve the sensitivity of the search and reduce the effect of the systematic uncertainties due to the $J$-factor estimates, we have combined the data of all dSphs observed with the MAGIC telescopes. Using 354.3 h of dSphs good quality data, 95 % CL ULs on $\langle \sigma_{\mathrm{ann}} v \rangle$ have been obtained for 9 annihilation channels. For most of the channels, these results reach values of the order of $10^{-24} $cm$^3$/s at ${\sim}1$ TeV and are the most stringent limits obtained with the MAGIC telescopes so far.

Multiwavelength study of the gravitationally lensed blazar QSO B0218+357 between 2016 and 2020.

Abstract: We report multiwavelength observations of the gravitationally lensed blazar QSO B0218+357 in 2016-2020. Optical, X-ray and GeV flares were detected. The contemporaneous MAGIC observations do not show significant very-high-energy (VHE, >= 100 GeV) gamma-ray emission. The lack of enhancement in radio emission measured by OVRO indicates the multi-zone nature of the emission from this object. We constrain the VHE duty cycle of the source to be < 16 2014-like flares per year (95% confidence). For the first time for this source, a broadband low-state SED is constructed with a deep exposure up to the VHE range. A flux upper limit on the low-state VHE gamma-ray emission of an order of magnitude below that of the 2014 flare is determined. The X-ray data are used to fit the column density of (8.10 +- 0.93 stat ) x 10^21 cm^-2 of the dust in the lensing galaxy. VLBI observations show a clear radio core and jet components in both lensed images, yet no significant movement of the components is seen. The radio measurements are used to model the source-lens-observer geometry and determine the magnifications and time delays for both components. The quiescent emission is modeled with the high-energy bump explained as a combination of synchrotron-self-Compton and external Compton emission from a region located outside of the broad line region. The bulk of the low-energy emission is explained as originating from a tens-of-parsecs scale jet.

Investigation of the correlation patterns and the Compton dominance variability of Mrk 421 in 2017

Abstract: We present a detailed characterisation and theoretical interpretation of the broadband emission of the paradigmatic TeV blazar Mrk 421, with special focus on the multi-band flux correlations. The dataset has been collected through an extensive multiwavelength campaign organised between 2016 December and 2017 June. The instruments involved are MAGIC, FACT, Fermi-LAT, Swift, GASP-WEBT, OVRO, Medicina and Metsahovi. Additionally, four deep exposures (several hours long) with simultaneous MAGIC and NuSTAR observations allowed a precise measurement of the falling segments of the two spectral components. The very-high-energy (VHE; E > 100 GeV) gamma rays and X-rays are positively correlated at zero time lag, but the strength and characteristics of the correlation change substantially across the various energy bands probed. The VHE versus X-ray fluxes follow different patterns, partly due to substantial changes in the Compton dominance during a few days without a simultaneous increase in the X-ray flux (i.e. orphan gamma-ray activity). Studying the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) during the days including NuSTAR observations, we show that these changes can be explained within a one-zone leptonic model with a blob that increases its size over time. Our multi-band correlation study also hints at an anti-correlation between UV/optical and X-ray at a significance higher than 3 sigmas. A VHE flare observed on 2017 February 4 shows gamma-ray variability on multi-hour timescales, with a factor 10 increase in the TeV flux but only a moderate increase in the keV flux. The related broadband SED is better described by a two-zone leptonic scenario rather than by a one-zone scenario. We find that the flare can be produced by the appearance of a compact second blob populated by high energetic electrons spanning a narrow range of Lorentz factors.