Multi-wavelength (radio, X-ray and gamma-ray) observations of the gamma-ray binary LS I +61 303

TL;DR

This study presents the first multiwavelength observations of the gamma-ray binary LS I +61 303, revealing stable radio emission, possible correlations between X-ray and TeV emissions, and constraining the presence of large-scale jets.

Contribution

It provides the first coordinated multiwavelength campaign on LS I +61 303, offering new insights into its emission mechanisms and jet morphology.

Findings

No large-scale persistent radio jets detected.

Radio emission shows periodic stability, inconsistent with variable wind clumps.

Possible correlation between X-ray and TeV emissions, but radio/TeV non-correlation observed.

Abstract

We present the results of the first multiwavelength observing campaign on the high-mass X-ray binary LS I +61 303 comprising observations at the TeV regime with the MAGIC telescope, along with X-ray observations with Chandra, and radio interferometric observations with the MERLIN, EVN and VLBA arrays, in October and November 2006. From our MERLIN observations, we can exclude the existence of large scale (~100 mas) persistent radio-jets. Our 5.0 GHz VLBA observations display morphological similarities to previous 8.4 GHz VLBA observations carried out at the same orbital phase, suggesting a high level of periodicity and stability of the processes behind the radio emission. This makes it unlikely that variability of the radio emission is due to the interaction of an outflow with variable wind clumps. If the radio emission is produced by a milliarcsecond scale jet, it should also show a stable, periodic behavior. It is then difficult to reconcile the absence of a large scale jet (~100 mas) in our observations with the evidence of a persistent relativistic jet reported previously. We find a possible hint of temporal correlation between the X-ray and TeV emissions and evidence for radio/TeV non-correlation, which points to the existence of one population of particles producing the radio emission and a different one producing the X-ray and TeV emissions. Finally, we present a quasi-simultaneous energy spectrum including radio, X-ray and TeV bands.