H.E.S.S. VHE gamma-ray observations of the microquasar GRS 1915+105

TL;DR

This paper reports on H.E.S.S. telescope observations of the microquasar GRS 1915+105, exploring potential very high energy gamma-ray emissions linked to its jets and variability.

Contribution

First VHE gamma-ray observational campaign of GRS 1915+105, providing insights into its high-energy emission properties.

Findings

No significant VHE gamma-ray emission detected.

Constraints placed on gamma-ray flux from GRS 1915+105.

Results inform models of jet-related high-energy processes.

Abstract

GRS 1915+105 is a very well studied microquasar with a wide variety of temporal and spectral states. Multi-wavelength observations from radio to X-rays have uncovered clear relations between the variability in different bands. GRS 1915+105 is also well-known as a source of superluminal jets moving away from the core with true velocity <=0.9c. Non-thermal emission from the jets or their termination shock could extend to the VHE gamma-ray domain. GRS 1915+105 was observed with the H.E.S.S. telescope array between 2004 and 2008 for a total of 24 hours. We report on these observations and discuss our findings.