Time Averaged VHE Spectrum of Mrk 421 in 2005

TL;DR

This paper presents a comparison of the time-averaged very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray spectrum of the blazar Mrk 421 observed in 2005 by multiple telescopes, highlighting instrument agreement and challenges in data comparison.

Contribution

It provides the first simultaneous comparison of Mrk 421 spectra from MAGIC, Whipple, and VERITAS during a quiescent state, emphasizing instrument consistency and evolving observational capabilities.

Findings

Spectral agreement among different instruments during 2005 observations

Increased sensitivity and lower energy thresholds of new telescopes

Implications for comparing archival and current VHE data

Abstract

The blazar Mrk421 was observed independently, but contemporaneously, in 2005 at TeV energies by MAGIC, the Whipple 10m telescope, and by a single VERITAS telescope during the construction phase of operations. A comparison of the time averaged spectra, in what was a relatively quiescent state, demonstrates the level of agreement between instruments. In addition, the increased sensitivity of the new generation instruments, and ever decreasing energy thresholds, questions how best to compare new observational data with archival results.