Periodic emission from the gamma-ray binary 1FGL J1018.6-5856

M. Ackermann, M. Ajello, J. Ballet, G. Barbiellini, D. Bastieri, A. Belfiore, R. Bellazzini, M. D. Filipović, J. L. Payne, [and one hundred and forty-six others]

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    92 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Gamma-ray binaries are stellar systems containing a neutron star or black hole, with gamma-ray emission produced by an interaction between the components. These systems are rare, even though binary evolution models predict dozens in our Galaxy. A search for gamma-ray binaries with the Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) shows that 1FGL J1018.6-5856 exhibits intensity and spectral modulation with a 16.6-day period. We identified a variable x-ray counterpart, which shows a sharp maximum coinciding with maximum gamma-ray emission, as well as an O6V((f)) star optical counterpart and a radio counterpart that is also apparently modulated on the orbital period. 1FGL J1018.6-5856 is thus a gamma-ray binary, and its detection suggests the presence of other fainter binaries in the Galaxy.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)189-193
    Number of pages5
    JournalScience
    Volume335
    Issue number6065
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Keywords

    • gamma rays
    • gamma-ray binaries
    • numerical analysis
    • photons
    • telescope

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