Post on 06-Jan-2016
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Exploring the Gamma-Ray/Optical Connection in Blazars
Edward Montiel,U. Arizona
Paul Smith (Space Grant Mentor), Gary Schmidt, Buell Jannuzi, Shane
RightleyU. Arizona
Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope Launched June 11,
2008 Builds upon the
successes of EGRET/Compton
30 times more sensitive than EGRET
Surveys the entire sky every 3 hours (2 orbits) at energies of 0.1 – 300 GeV
Fermi's First Four Days
Gamma Rays and Blazars Blazars are a form of Active
Galactic Nuclei (AGNs) Highly variable at all
wavelengths Optical portion of spectrum
highly polarized UV to radio emission
dominated by Synchrotron radiation
X-rays and gamma-rays believed to be inverse Compton scatteringRelativistic jet of M87
The Project
• Find if there are connections between optical and gamma-ray emission in blazars: Are they from the same region of the jet?• Specifically, we are investigating if there is a
connection between the high energy emission and the optical linear polarization.
• Have data available for public use in ~1 month after run at:
http://james.as.arizona.edu/~psmith/Fermi/
Observations
8 runs over the year lasting ~1 week each
Steward Observatory 2.5-m Bart J. Bok and 1.55-m Gerard Kuiper Telescopes
Measured the polarization and brightness of the brightest gamma-ray emitting blazars
Steward Observatory 1.55-m Kuiper Telescope
3C 454.3
SPOL
Designed by Schmidt and H.S. Stockman (STSci)
Used at various telescopes around the world for over 15 years
Still one of the most sensitive and efficient astronomical polarimeters in use
Preliminary Analysis
Conclusions
Fermi is very important to our understanding of the high energy universe
Have been able to observe 43 out of 49 nights, and approaching 1000 measurements
So far, easy connections between the wavelength bands have not been found
We have reapplied to NASA for funding to continue the project for a minimum of 3 more years
Where to Find the Data
If you are interested in doing your own investigating, data can be found at:
Fermi gamma-ray:
http://fermi.gsfc.nasa.gov/ssc/data/access/
Optical polarization:
http://james.as.arizona.edu/~psmith/Fermi/