Possible detection of gamma rays from Epsilon Eridani

TL;DR

This study searches for gamma-ray emissions from nearby stars with debris disks, finding a possible gamma-ray source near epsilon Eridani, which could indicate new astrophysical phenomena or processes.

Contribution

First potential detection of gamma-ray emission from a main sequence star other than the Sun, exploring cosmic-ray interactions with debris disks or stellar activity as sources.

Findings

Possible gamma-ray source near epsilon Eridani with a soft spectrum

Upper limits consistent with theoretical expectations for three stars

Evidence of source variability over 7 years

Abstract

We use the Fermi-LAT gamma-ray observatory to search for gamma-ray emission from four nearby, debris disk-hosting main sequence stars: $\tau$ Ceti, $\epsilon$ Eridani, Fomalhaut, and Vega. For three stars ($\tau$ Ceti, Fomalhaut, and Vega), we establish upper limits that are consistent with theoretical expectations. For $\epsilon$ Eridani, we find a possible spatially coincident source with a soft energy spectrum of $dN/dE \sim E^{-3.6}$. However, at this stage we are unable to rule out that this emission is due to a more extended feature in the diffuse background. In the interpretation that the emission is due to $\epsilon$ Eridani, the $> 100$ MeV gamma-ray luminosity is $\sim 10^{27}$ erg/s $\simeq 3\times 10^{-7}$ L$_\odot$, which is $\sim 10^{10}$ times the gamma-ray luminosity from the disk of the quiet Sun. We find $\lesssim 2 \sigma$ evidence of source variability over a $\sim 7$ year timescale. In the interpretation that the gamma-ray emission from $\epsilon$ Eridani itself, we consider two possible models: 1) cosmic-ray collisions with solid bodies in the debris disk which extends out $\sim$60 AU from the host star, and 2) emission from the stellar activity. For the former model, assuming a total disk mass consistent with infrared measurements, we find that the size distribution of bodies is steeper than expected for a collisional cascade state. If confirmed as being associated with $\epsilon$ Eridani, this would be the first indication of gamma-ray emission from the vicinity of a main sequence star other than the Sun.