PSR J2032+4127, the counterpart of TeV J2032+4130? Multiwavelength Monitoring of the Approach to Periastron

TL;DR

This paper reports on multiwavelength observations of PSR J2032+4127, a binary system with a pulsar and Be star, aiming to determine if it is a gamma-ray binary during its upcoming periastron in 2017.

Contribution

It provides the first coordinated multiwavelength monitoring campaign of PSR J2032+4127 approaching periastron to investigate its gamma-ray binary nature.

Findings

Preliminary gamma-ray emission data collected from Swift, Fermi-LAT, and VERITAS.

Monitoring plans to observe changes in emission during periastron.

Potential identification of the system as a gamma-ray binary.

Abstract

PSR J2032+4127 has recently been identified as being in a long period (45-50 years) binary in a highly eccentric orbit with the Be star MT91 213. Periastron is due to occur in November 2017 and this rare occurrence has prompted a multiwavelength monitoring campaign to determine if the system is a gamma-ray binary, and, if so, to study what would be only the second gamma-ray binary with a known compact object. In the same direction as TeV J2032+4130, gamma-ray emission from this binary system could be related to the extended very high energy gamma-ray emission from that region. As part of this monitoring, observations are being conducted by Swift, Fermi-LAT and VERITAS. We present the status of those observations, preliminary results and the plan for continued monitoring through periastron.