Search

Exceptionally strong and long lasting flaring activity of the blazar Markarian 421 (Mrk 421) occurred between January and March 2001. Based on the excellent signal-to-noise ratio of the data we derive the energy spectrum between 260 GeV - 17 TeV with unprecedented statistical precision. The spectrum is not well described by a simple power law even with a curvature term. Instead the data can be described by a power law with exponential cutoff: $\rm {{dN}\over{dE}} \propto \rm E^{-2.14 \pm 0.03_{stat}} \times e^{-E/E_{0}} m^{-2} s^{-1} TeV^{-1}$ with $\rm E_{0} = 4.3 \pm 0.3_{stat} TeV$. Mrk 421 is the second $\gamma$-ray blazar that unambiguously exhibits an absorption-like feature in its spectral energy distribution at 3-6 TeV suggesting that this may be a universal phenomenon, possibly due to the extragalactic infra-red background radiation., Comment: 14 pages, 3 figures, submitted to ApJL

We study the spectrum and average mass composition of cosmic rays with primary energies between 10^{17} eV and 10^{18} eV using a hybrid detector consisting of the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) prototype and the MIA muon array. Measurements have been made of the change in the depth of shower maximum as a function of energy. A complete Monte Carlo simulation of the detector response and comparisons with shower simulations leads to the conclusion that the cosmic ray intensity is changing f rom a heavier to a lighter composition in this energy range. The spectrum is consistent with earlier Fly's Eye measurements and supports the previously found steepening near 4 \times 10^{17} eV ., Comment: 39 pages, 15 figures, in revtex4 epsf style, submited to APJ

We conducted a multi-frequency campaign for the TeV blazar Mrk~421 in 1998 April. The campaign started from a pronounced high amplitude flare recorded by SAX and Whipple; ASCA observation started three days later. In the X-ray data, we detected multiple flares, occuring on time scales of about one day. ASCA data clearly reveal spectral variability. The comparison of the data from ASCA, EUVE and RXTE indicates that the variability amplitudes in the low energy synchrotron component are larger at higher photon energies. In TeV Gamma-rays, large intra-day variations -- which were correlated with the X-ray flux -- were observed when results from three Cherenkov telescopes are combined. The RMS variability of TeV Gamma--rays was similar to that observed in hard X-rays, above 10 keV. The X-ray light curve reveals flares which are almost symmetric for most of cases, implying the dominant time scale is the light crossing time through the emitting region. The structure function analysis based on the continuous X-ray light curve of seven days indicates that the characteristic time scale is ~0.5 day. The analysis of ASCA light curves in various energy bands appears to show both soft (positive) and hard (negative) lags. These may not be real, as systematic effects could also produce these lags, which are all much smaller than an orbit. If the lags of both signs are real, these imply that the particle acceleration and X-ray cooling time scales are similar., Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

We present the preliminary results of a long BeppoSAX observation of the BL Lac object Mkn501 carried out in June 1999. The source was fainter than found during the BeppoSAX pointings of 1997 and 1998, but is still detected with a good signal-to-noise ratio up to ~40 keV. The X-ray spectrum in the energy range 0.1-40 keV, produced through synchrotron radiation, is steeper than in the previous years, it is clearly curved, and peaks (in nu*F_nu) at ~0.5 keV. This energy is much lower than those at which the synchrotron component was found to peak in 1997 and 1998. Some intraday variability suggests that activity of the source on small time scales accompanies the large long time scale changes of brightness and spectrum., Comment: 4 pages, Latex, 2 PostScript figures, to appear in the Proceedings of the Conference "X-ray Astronomy '999: Stellar Endpoints, AGNs, and the Diffuse X-ray Background" (Bologna, 6-10 September 1999)

In 1998 and 1999 the Whipple Observatory 10 m telescope was used to search for diffuse gamma ray emission from the Galactic Plane. No signifiant evidence of emission was found. Assuming the TeV emission profile matches EGRET observations above 1 GeV with a differential spectral index of 2.4, we derive an upper limit of {$\rm {3.0\cdot10^{-8}cm^{-2}s^{-1}sr^{-1}}$} for the average diffuse emission above {{$\rm500 GeV$}} in the galactic latitude range from {{$\rm-2^o$ to $\rm +2^o$}} at galactic longitude {{$\rm 40^o$}}. Comparisons with EGRET observations provide a lower limit of 2.31 for the differential spectral index of the diffuse emission, assuming there is no break in the spectrum between 30 GeV and 500 GeV. This constrains models for diffuse emission with a significant inverse Compton contribution., Comment: 18 pages, 9 figures, other comments

We present the results of a search for pulsed TeV emission from the Crab pulsar using the Whipple Observatory's 10 m gamma-ray telescope. The direction of the Crab pulsar was observed for a total of 73.4 hours between 1994 November and 1997 March. During this period the Whipple 10 m telescope was operated at its lowest energy threshold to date. Spectral analysis techniques were applied to search for the presence of a gamma-ray signal from the Crab pulsar over the energy band 250 GeV to 4 TeV. We do not see any evidence of the 33 ms pulsations present in other energy bands from the Crab pulsar. The 99.9% confidence level upper limit for pulsed emission above 250 GeV is derived to be 4.8x10^-12 cm^-2 s^-1 or <3% of the steady flux from the Crab Nebula. These results imply a sharp cut-off of the power-law spectrum seen by the EGRET instrument on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. If the cut-off is exponential, it must begin at 60 GeV or lower to accommodate these upper limits., Comment: 20 pages including 6 figures, accepted for publication in the Astrophysical Journal

The average mass composition of cosmic rays with primary energies between $10^{17}$eV and $10^{18}$eV has been studied using a hybrid detector consisting of the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) prototype and the MIA muon array. Measurements have been made of the change in the depth of shower maximum, $X_{max}$, and in the change in the muon density at a fixed core location, $\rho_\mu(600m)$, as a function of energy. The composition has also been evaluated in terms of the combination of $X_{max}$ and $\rho_\mu(600m)$. The results show that the composition is changing from a heavy to lighter mix as the energy increases., Comment: 14 pages including 3 figures in revtex epsf style, submited to PRL

Only BL Lac objects have been detected as extragalactic sources of very high energy (E > 300 GeV) gamma rays. Using the Whipple Observatory Gamma-ray Telescope, we have attempted to detect more BL Lacs using three approaches. First, we have conducted surveys of nearby BL Lacs, which led to the detections of Mrk 501 and 1ES 2344+514. Second, we have observed X-ray bright BL Lacs when the RXTE All-Sky Monitor identifies high state X-ray emission in an object, in order to efficiently detect extended high emission states. Third, we have conducted rapid observations of several BL Lacs and QSOs located close together in the sky to search for very high flux, short time-scale flare states such as have been seen from Mrk 421. We will present the results of a survey using the third observational technique., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to be published in the proceedings of 26th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Salt Lake City, 1999)

We give an overview of the current status and scientific goals of VERITAS, a proposed hexagonal array of seven 10 m aperture imaging Cherenkov telescopes. The selected site is Montosa Canyon (1390 m a.s.l.) at the Whipple Observatory, Arizona. Each telescope, of 12 m focal length, will initially be equipped with a 499 element photomultiplier camera covering a 3.5 degree field of view. A central station will initiate the readout of 500 MHz FADCs upon receipt of multiple telescope triggers. The minimum detectable flux sensitivity will be 0.5% of the Crab Nebula flux at 200 GeV. Detailed simulations of the array's performance are presented elsewhere at this meeting. VERITAS will operate primarily as a gamma-ray observatory in the 50 GeV to 50 TeV range for the study of active galaxies, supernova remnants, pulsars and gamma-ray bursts., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to be published in the proceedings of the 26th ICRC (Salt Lake City, 1999)

We present the results of a search for pulsed TeV emission from the Crab pulsar using the Whipple Observatory's 10m gamma-ray telescope. The direction of the Crab pulsar was observed for a total of 73.4 hours between 1994 November and 1997 March. Spectral analysis techniques were applied to search for the presence of a gamma-ray signal from the Crab pulsar over the energy band 250GeV to 4TeV. At these energies we do not see any evidence of the 33ms pulsations present at lower energies from the Crab pulsar. The 99.9% confidence level upper limit for pulsed emission above 250GeV is derived to be 4.8 10^-12 cm^-2 s^-1 or <3% of the steady flux from the Crab Nebula. These results imply a sharp cut-off of the power-law spectrum seen by the EGRET instrument on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. If the cut-off is exponential, it must begin at 60GeV or lower to accommodate these upper limits., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to be published in the proceedings of 26th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Salt Lake City, 1999)

Markarian 421 was observed for about four days with BeppoSAX and the Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope in April 1998. A pronounced, well-defined, flare with hour-scale variability was observed simultaneously in X-rays and very high energy gamma-rays. These data provide the first evidence that the X-ray and TeV intensities are well correlated on time-scales of hours. While the rise of the flare occurred on a similar time-scale in the two wavebands, the decay of the flare was much more rapid in gamma rays, providing the first clear indication that the X-ray and gamma-ray emission may not be completely correlated in Markarian 421., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to be published in the proceedings of the 26th ICRC (Salt Lake City, 1999)

Markarian 501, a nearby (z=0.033) X-ray selected BL Lacertae object, is a well established source of Very High Energy (VHE, E>=300 GeV) gamma rays. Dramatic variability in its gamma-ray emission on time-scales from years to as short as two hours has been detected. Multiwavelength observations have also revealed evidence that the VHE gamma-ray and hard X-ray fluxes may be correlated. Here we present results of observations made with the Whipple Collaboration's 10 m Atmospheric Cerenkov Imaging Telescope during 1999 and discuss them in the context of observations made on Markarian 501 during the period from 1996-1998., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to be published in the proceedings of 26th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Salt Lake City, 1999)

If cosmic rays with energies <100 TeV originate in the galaxy and are accelerated in shock waves in shell-type supernova remnants (SNRs), gamma-rays will be produced as the result of proton and electron interactions with the local interstellar medium, and by inverse Compton emission from electrons scattering soft photon fields. We report on observations of two supernova remnants with the Whipple Observatory's 10 m gamma-ray telescope. No significant detections have been made and upper limits on the >500 GeV flux are reported. Non-thermal X-ray emission detected from one of these remnants (Cassiopeia A) has been interpreted as synchrotron emission from electrons in the ambient magnetic fields. Gamma-ray emission detected from the Monoceros/Rosette Nebula region has been interpreted as evidence of cosmic-ray acceleration. We interpret our results in the context of these observations., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in the proceedings of 26th International Cosmic Ray Conference (Salt Lake City, 1999)

The BL Lacertae object Markarian 501 was identified as a source of gamma-ray emission at the Whipple Observatory in March 1995. Here we present a flux variability analysis on several times-scales of the 233 hour data set accumulated over 213 nights (from March 1995 to July 1998) with the Whipple Observatory 10 m atmospheric Cherenkov imaging telescope. In 1995, with the exception of a single night, the flux from Markarian 501 was constant on daily and monthly time-scales and had an average flux of only 10% that of the Crab Nebula, making it the weakest VHE source detected to date. In 1996, the average flux was approximately twice the 1995 flux and showed significant month-to-month variability. No significant day-scale variations were detected. The average gamma-ray flux above ~350 GeV in the 1997 observing season rose to 1.4 times that of the Crab Nebula -- 14 times the 1995 discovery level -- allowing a search for variability on time-scales shorter than one day. Significant hour-scale variability was present in the 1997 data, with the shortest, observed on MJD 50607, having a doubling time of ~2 hours. In 1998 the average emission level decreased considerably from that of 1997 (to ~20% of the Crab Nebula flux) but two significant flaring events were observed. Thus, the emission from Markarian 501 shows large amplitude and rapid flux variability at very high energies as does Markarian 421. It also shows large mean flux level variations on year-to-year time-scales, behaviour which has not been seen from Markarian 421 so far., Comment: 19 pages, 3 figures, to appear in ApJ, June 20, 1999, Vol. 518 #2

Mkn 421 was observed for about two days with BeppoSAX, prior to and partly overlapping the start of a 1 week continuous exposure with ASCA in April 1998, as part of a world-wide multiwavelength campaign. A pronounced, well defined, flare observed in X-rays was also observed simultaneously at TeV energies by the Whipple Observatory's 10 m gamma-ray telescope. These data provide the first evidence that the X-ray and TeV intensities are well correlated on time-scales of hours., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, presented at the VERITAS Workshop on the TeV Astrophysics of Extragalactic Objects

The close relation between ground-based TeV observations and satellite borne $\gamma$-ray measurements has been important for the understanding of blazars. The observations which involve the TeV component in blazar studies are reviewed., Comment: 8 Pages, 6 figures

We have used data from the TeV gamma-ray flare associated with the active galaxy Markarian 421 observed on 15 May 1996 to place bounds on the possible energy-dependence of the speed of light in the context of an effective quantum gravitational energy scale. The possibility of an observable time dispersion in high energy radiation has recently received attention in the literature, with some suggestions that the relevant energy scale could be less than the Planck mass and perhaps as low as 10^16 GeV. The limits derived here indicate this energy scale to be in excess of 4x10^16 GeV at the 95% confidence level. To the best of our knowledge, this constitutes the first convincing limit on such phenomena in this energy regime., Comment: 6 pages, including 2 figures

We present multi-wavelength observations of the very high energy (VHE, E >250 GeV) gamma-ray sources Mrk 421 and Mrk 501. The VHE data presented here were taken with the Whipple Observatory 10m gamma-ray telescope. In the Mrk 421 campaign, conducted in 1995 April-May, correlations were observed between VHE gamma-ray, X-ray, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and possibly R-band emission. The X-rays and gamma rays vary together with similar flux amplitude while the EUV photons lag the X-rays and gamma rays by ~1 day and have a lower variability amplitude. In the Mrk 501 campaign, conducted in 1997 April, a correlation was also observed between the VHE gamma rays and X-rays with no delays apparent. Here, the VHE gamma-ray variability is larger than the X-rays. The observations also indicate that the synchrotron spectrum extends to 100 keV before cutting off. For Mrk 421, the X-ray/VHE gamma-ray correlation indicates that delta > 38 and B > 0.03G. For Mrk 501, the correlation indicates a more modest delta > 2 and B > 0.09G., Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures, to appear in the proceedings of the conference "BL Lac Phenomenon," held in Turku, Finland, Junw 22-26, 1998

We present the discovery of >350 GeV gamma-ray emission from the BL Lacertae object 1ES 2344+514 with the Whipple Observatory 10m gamma-ray telescope. This is the third BL Lac object detected at gamma-ray energies above 300 Gev, the other two being Markarian 421 (Mrk 421) and Mrk501. These three active galactic nuclei are all X-ray selected and have the lowest known redshifts of any BL Lac objects currently identified. The evidence for emission derives primarily from an apparent flare on December 20, 1995 when a 6 sigma excess was detected with a flux approximately 63% of the very high energy gamma-ray emission from the Crab Nebula, the standard candle for TeV gamma-ray sources. Excluding the flare, observations between October 1995 and January 1996 yield a 4 sigma detection corresponding to 11% of the VHE Crab Nebula flux. Observations spanning September 1996 to January 1997 failed to yield a significant detection of a steady flux or any flaring. For this period, the 99.9% confidence level upper limit is <8% of the Crab Nebula. The low baseline emission level and variations in nightly and yearly flux of 1ES 22344+514 are the same as the VHE emission characteristics of Mrk 421 and Mrk 501, Comment: 19 pages, 6 Postscript figures

We present multiwavelength observations of the BL Lacertae object Markarian 501 (Mrk 501) in 1997 between April 8 and April 19. Evidence of correlated variability is seen in very high energy (VHE, E > 350 GeV) gamma-ray observations taken with the Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope, data from the Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory, and quicklook results from the All-Sky Monitor of the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer while the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope did not detect Mrk 501. Short term optical correlations are not conclusive but the U-band flux observed with the 1.2m telescope of the Whipple Observatory was 10% higher than in March. The average energy output of Mrk 501 appears to peak in the 2 keV to 100 keV range suggesting an extension of the synchrotron emission to at least 100 keV, the highest observed in a blazar and ~100 times higher than that seen in the other TeV-emitting BL Lac object, Mrk 421. The VHE gamma-ray flux observed during this period is the highest ever detected from this object. The VHE gamma-ray energy output is somewhat lower than the 2-100 keV range but the variability amplitude is larger. The correlations seen here do not require relativistic beaming of the emission unless the VHE spectrum extends to >5 TeV., Comment: 10 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in ApJ Letters

The ~70 unidentified sources of the EGRET sky survey may be one of its most important legacies. The identification of these sources at other wavelengths is critical to understanding their nature. Many have flat spectra out to 10 GeV which, if extrapolated to TeV energies, would be easily detectable relative to the steeply falling diffuse background. The Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope has been used to observe a number of these which were selected based on their position, intensity and spectrum and in some cases based on a possible association with a supernova remnant or pulsar. No significant emission has been detected from these sources, and upper limits are given., Comment: 4 pages, 1 figure, to appear in proceedings of 25th ICRC (Durban)

A next generation atmospheric Cherenkov observatory is described based on the Whipple Observatory $\gamma$-ray telescope. A total of nine such imaging telescopes will be deployed in an array that will permit the maximum versatility and give high sensitivity in the 50 GeV - 50 TeV band (with maximum sensitivity from 100 GeV to 10 TeV)., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in proceedings of 25th ICRC (Durban)

The Crab Nebula has become established as the standard candle for TeV gamma-ray astronomy using the atmospheric Cherenkov technique. No evidence for variability has been seen. The spectrum of gamma rays from the Crab Nebula has been measured in the energy range 500 GeV to 8 TeV at the Whipple Observatory by the atmospheric Cherenkov imaging technique. Two methods of analysis involving independent Monte Carlo simulations and two databases of observations (1988-89 and 1995-96) were used and gave close agreement. Using the complete spectrum of the Crab Nebula, the spectrum of relativistic electrons is deduced and the spectrum of the resulting inverse Compton gamma-ray emission is in good agreement with the measured spectrum if the ambient magnetic field is about 25-30 nT., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in proceedings of the 25th ICRC (Durban)

Markarian 501 is only the second extragalactic source to be detected with high statistical certainty at TeV energies; it is similar in many ways to Markarian 421. The Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope has been used to observe the AGN Markarian 501 in 1996 and 1997, the years subsequent to its initial detection. The apparent variability on the one-day time-scale observed in TeV gamma rays in 1995 is confirmed and compared with the variability in Markarian 421. Observations at X-ray and optical wavelengths from 1997 are also presented., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in proceedings of 25th ICRC (Durban)

PSR B1951+32 is a gamma-ray pulsar detected by the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) and identified with the 39.5 ms radio pulsar in the supernova remnant CTB 80. The EGRET data shows no evidence for a spectral turnover. Here we report on the first observations of PSR B1951+32 beyond 30 GeV. The observations were carried out with the 10m gamma-ray telescope at the Whipple Observatory on Mt. Hopkins, Arizona. In 8.1 hours of observation we find no evidence for steady or periodic emission from PSR B1951+32 above ~260 GeV. FLux upper limits are derived and compared with model extrapolations from lower energies and the predictions of emission models., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in proceedings of 25th ICRC (Durban)

Two active galactic nuclei have been detected at TeV energies using the atmospheric Cherenkov imaging technique. The Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope has been used to observe all the BL Lacertae objects in the northern hemisphere out to a redshift of 0.1. We report the tentative detection of VHE emission from a third BL Lac object, 1ES 2344+514. Progress in extending this survey out to z=0.2 will also be reported., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in proceedings of 25th ICRC (Durban)

If supernova remnants (SNRs) are the sites of cosmic-ray acceleration, the associated nuclear interactions should result in observable fluxes of TeV gamma-rays from the nearest SNRs. Measurements of the gamma-ray flux from six nearby, radio-bright, SNRs have been made with the Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope. No significant emission has been detected and upper limits on the $>$300 GeV flux are reported. Three of these SNRs (IC443, gamma-Cygni and W44) are spatially coincident with low latitude unidentified sources detected with EGRET. These upper limits weaken the case for the simplest models of shock acceleration and energy dependent propagation., Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, to appear in proceedings of 25 ICRC (Durban)

Based on BACODINE network notification the Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope has been used to search for the delayed TeV counterpart to BATSE-detected gamma-ray bursts. In the fast slew mode, any point in the sky can be reached within two minutes of the burst notification. The search strategy, necessary because of the uncertainty in burst position and limited FOV of the camera, is described., Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures, to appear in proceedings of the 25th ICRC (Durban)

Markarian 421 was the first extragalactic source to be detected with high statistical certainty at TeV energies. The Whipple Observatory gamma-ray telescope has been used to observe the Active Galactic Nucleus, Markarian 421 in 1996 and 1997. The rapid variability observed in TeV gamma rays in previous years is confirmed. Doubling times as short as 15 minutes are reported with flux levels reaching 15 photons per minute. The TeV energy spectrum is derived using two independent methods. The implications for the intergalactic infra-red medium of an observed unbroken power law spectrum up to energies of 5 TeV is discussed., Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, to appear in proceedings of 25 ICRC (Durban)

A search was conducted for TeV gamma-rays emitted from the direction of the ultra-high energy cosmic ray detected by the Fly's Eye Experiment with E ~ 3 x 10**20 eV. No enhancement was found at a level of 10**-10 gamma/cm**2-sec for E>350 GeV. This upper limit is consistent with theoretical estimates based on topological defects as sources of UHE cosmic rays. An upper limit was also set for the flux of TeV gamma rays from 3C147, the most prominent AGN in the error box., Comment: 18 pages, 4 figures, Latex with AAS macros, submitted to ApJ

We describe a new search for diffuse ultrahigh energy gamma-ray emission associated with molecular clouds in the galactic disk. The Chicago Air Shower Array (CASA), operating in coincidence with the Michigan muon array (MIA), has recorded over 2.2 x 10^{9} air showers from April 4, 1990 to October 7, 1995. We search for gamma rays based upon the muon content of air showers arriving from the direction of the galactic plane. We find no significant evidence for diffuse gamma-ray emission, and we set an upper limit on the ratio of gamma rays to normal hadronic cosmic rays at less than 2.4 x 10^{-5} at 310 TeV (90% confidence limit) from the galactic plane region: (50 degrees < l < 200 degrees); -5 degrees < b < 5 degrees). This limit places a strong constraint on models for emission from molecular clouds in the galaxy. We rule out significant spectral hardening in the outer galaxy, and conclude that emission from the plane at these energies is likely to be dominated by the decay of neutral pions resulting from cosmic rays interactions with passive target gas molecules., Comment: Astrophysical Journal, submitted, 11 pages, AASTeX Latex, 3 Postscript figures

The detection of gamma rays of energy greater than 300 GeV from the BL Lacertae object Mrk 501 demonstrates that extragalactic TeV emission is not unique to Mrk 421. During 66 hr of observations between 1995 March and July we measured an average flux of 8.1 +/- 1.4 x 10(exp -12) cm(exp -2)/s above 300 GeV, a flux that is only 20 percent of the average Mrk 421 flux. The new gamma-ray source has not been reported by the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory as an emitter of gamma rays at lower energies. There is evidence for variability on timescales of days.