Journal Article/Contribution to a conference proceedings

PUBDB-2023-07911

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Probing Gamma-Ray Propagation at Very-High Energies with H.E.S.S. Observations of M87

Cecil, R. J. (Corresponding author)Extern* ; Barbosa Martins, V.DESY* ; Lypova, I. ; Meyer, M. ; Wagner, S. ; H. E. S. S. Collaboration

2023
SISSA Trieste

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.22323/1.444.0908  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2023-07911

Abstract: The radio galaxy Messier 87 has an active galactic nucleus, from which observations have been made of very high energy (E > 100 GeV) 𝛾-rays up to a few 10s of TeV using the H.E.S.S. telescope array. During monitoring campaigns and target of opportunity observations, several high flux states could be identified. The high photon statistics obtained during these states allow us to probe phenomena affecting VHE 𝛾-ray propagation across cosmic distances. Interaction of these photons with the Extragalactic Background Light (EBL) causes an attenuation, leading to an observed cut-off in the spectra of very high energy sources. Observations of M87 can be utilized to make measurements of the local EBL, specifically in the far infrared range. Furthermore, M87 is located at the heart of the nearby Virgo galaxy cluster located 18 Mpc away which is host to an intra-cluster magnetic field calculated at 34.2 𝜇G. This allows us the opportunity to probe for effects of the mixing of light pseudo-scalar Axion Like Particles (ALPs) with photon states. These dark matter candidates are predicted to exhibit an oscillation effect in the presence of magnetic fields, oscillating between photon and ALP states. This energy-dependent effect would lead to the disappearance of photons, which would result in measurable “wiggles" in the source’s spectra. We find that the collected photon statistics do not suffice to significantly detect or constrain the ALP-photon coupling.

Note: Pre-published

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. High Energy Steroscopic System (ZEU-HESS)
2. High Energy Steroscopic System (Z_HESS)

Research Program(s):

1. 613 - Matter and Radiation from the Universe (POF4-613) (POF4-613)
2. AxionDM - Searching for axion and axion-like-particle dark matter in the laboratory and with high-energy astrophysical observations (948689) (948689)
3. DFG project 390833306 - EXC 2121: Quantum Universe (390833306) (390833306)

Experiment(s):

1. High Energy Stereoscopic System

Appears in the scientific report 2023

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Database coverage:
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