Fermi-LAT detection of a new gamma-ray source in the vicinity of PMN J2301-6404
ATel #13408; I. Mereu (INFN Perugia), R. Angioni (SSDC/INFN), C. C. Cheung (NRL) and S. Cutini (INFN Perugia), on behalf of the Fermi Large Area Telescope Collaboration
on 18 Jan 2020; 13:33 UT
Credential Certification: Roberto Angioni (r.angioni90@gmail.com)
Subjects: Gamma Ray, >GeV, Request for Observations, AGN
The Large Area Telescope (LAT), one of the two instruments on the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope, has observed gamma-ray emission from a new gamma-ray source. The preliminary best-fit location of the gamma-ray source is R.A. = 345.04 deg, Decl. = -63.99 deg (J2000), with a 95% error circle of 0.28 degrees. There is a flat spectrum radio source within the 95% uncertainty region: PMN J2301-6404, also known as CRATES J2301-6404, with coordinates R.A. = 345.3942 deg, Decl. = -64.0693 deg (J2000; Healey et al. ApJS, 171, 61), with unknown redshift. The offset between the LAT and radio position is 0.17 deg. The source is not present in any of the Fermi-LAT catalogs, and there is no reported EGRET gamma-ray detection at this location.
Preliminary analysis indicates that this source was significantly detected (>5 sigma) in a high gamma-ray state on January 15, 2020, with a daily averaged gamma-ray flux (E>100MeV) of (2.9+/-1.1) x 10^-7 photons cm^-2 s^-1 and a single power-law photon index of 2.3 +/- 0.3 (statistical uncertainties only).
Because Fermi normally operates in an all-sky scanning mode, regular gamma-ray monitoring of this source will continue. In consideration of the activity of this source we encourage multiwavelength observations. Optical spectroscopy would be especially useful since the object does not have a measured redshift. The Fermi-LAT contact person for this source is I. Mereu (isabella.mereu@pg.infn.it)
The Fermi-LAT is a pair conversion telescope designed to cover the energy band from 20 MeV to greater than 300 GeV. It is the product of an international collaboration between NASA and DOE in the U.S. and many scientific institutions across France, Italy, Japan and Sweden.
