Detection of VHE gamma-ray emission from the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi with H.E.S.S.

ATel #14844; Stefan J. Wagner, for the H. E.S. S. collaboration
on 10 Aug 2021; 18:34 UT
Credential Certification: Stefan J. Wagner (swagner@lsw.uni-heidelberg.de)

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The H.E.S.S. array of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes was used to carry out observations of the recurrent nova RS Ophiuchi currently in outburst and detected with Fermi/LAT (Cheung et al, ATel #14834). RS Ophiuchi is a high-mass WD/red giant binary with an orbital period of 455d that undergoes an outburst approximately every 15-20 years, with the previous one occurring in February 2006. The current outburst is associated with a high-velocity outflow (Taguchi et al., ATel #14838, Munari et al., ATel #14840).// H.E.S.S. Observations started on August 9 at 18:17 UTC , lasted until 22:41 UTC and were taken under good conditions. A preliminary onsite analysis of the obtained data shows a >6 sigma very-high-energy gamma-ray excess compatible with the direction of RS Ophiuchi. Further H.E.S.S. observations are planned. We strongly encourage follow-up at all wavelengths.// H.E.S.S. is an array of five imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes for the detection of very-high-energy gamma-ray sources and is located in the Khomas Highlands in Namibia. It was constructed and is operated by researchers from Armenia, Australia, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, UK, and the host country, Namibia. For more details see https://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/hfm/HESS/

H.E.S.S.