Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences

The Korean Space Science Society (한국우주과학회)
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Pulsed γ-ray emission from magnetar 1E 2259+586

  • Wu, Jason Hung Kit (Institute of Astronomy and Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University) ;
  • Hui, Chung Yue (Department of Astronomy and Space Science, Chungnam National University) ;
  • Huang, Regina Hsiu Hui (Institute of Astronomy and Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University) ;
  • Kong, Albert Kwok Hing (Institute of Astronomy and Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University) ;
  • Cheng, Kwong Sang (Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong) ;
  • Takata, Jumpei (Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong) ;
  • Tam, Pak Hin Thomas (Institute of Astronomy and Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University) ;
  • Wu, Eric Man Ho (Department of Physics, University of Hong Kong) ;
  • Liu, Joe (Institute of Astronomy and Department of Physics, National Tsing Hua University)
  • Received : 2012.11.30
  • Accepted : 2012.12.30
  • Published : 2013.06.15
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Abstract

Anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) are thought to be magnetars which are young isolated neutron stars with extremely strong magnetic fields of > $10^{14}$ Gauss. Their tremendous magnetic fields inferred from the spin parameters provide a huge energy reservoir to power the observed X-ray emission. High-energy emission above 0.3 MeV has never been detected despite intensive search. Here, we present the possible Fermi Large Area Telescope (LAT) detection of ${\gamma}$-ray pulsations above 200 MeV from the AXP, 1E 2259+586, which puts the current theoretical models of ${\gamma}$-ray emission mechanisms of magnetars into challenge. We speculate that the high-energy ${\gamma}$-rays originate from the outer magnetosphere of the magnetar.

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References

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