MAGIC observations of Mkn 421 in 2008, and related optical/X-ray/TeV MWL study

TL;DR

This paper reports on intensive MAGIC telescope observations of the blazar Mkn 421 in 2008, revealing intense gamma-ray activity, rapid flux variations, and correlations across optical, X-ray, and TeV energy bands.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed multiwavelength analysis of Mkn 421 during a prolonged active period in 2008, combining VHE gamma-ray data with optical and X-ray observations.

Findings

Detected fluxes up to 3.6 Crab units in VHE gamma-rays.

Observed intra-night rapid flux variability.

Identified correlations between optical, X-ray, and gamma-ray emissions.

Abstract

The HBL-type blazar Markarian 421 is one of the brightest TeV gamma-ray sources of the Northern sky. From December 2007 until June 2008 it was intensively observed in the VHE (E>100 GeV) band by the MAGIC gamma-ray telescope. The source showed intense and prolonged activity during the whole period. In some nights the integral flux rose up to 3.6 Crab units (E>200 GeV). Intra-night rapid flux variations were observed. We compared the optical (KVA) and X-ray (RXTE-ASM, Swift-XRT) data with the MAGIC VHE data, investigating the correlations between different energy bands.