NuSTAR broad-band X-ray observational campaign of energetic pulsar wind nebulae in synergy with VERITAS, HAWC and Fermi gamma-ray telescopes

TL;DR

This paper reports on NuSTAR's broad-band X-ray observations of energetic pulsar wind nebulae, combining data from VERITAS, HAWC, and Fermi to study high-energy electron populations and spectral characteristics.

Contribution

It presents the first focusing X-ray observations above 10 keV of multiple PWNe, providing detailed spectral data and insights into their high-energy particle populations.

Findings

Detected hard X-ray emission from Eel and Boomerang PWNe.

Characterized broad-band X-ray spectra of observed PWNe.

Integrated multi-wavelength data for comprehensive PWN analysis.

Abstract

We report recent progress on the on-going NuSTAR observational campaign of 8 TeV-detected pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe). This campaign constitutes a major part of our NuSTAR study of some of the most energetic TeV sources in our Galaxy detected by VERITAS and HAWC. NuSTAR is the first focusing X-ray telescope operating above 10 keV in space with sub-arcminute angular resolution. Broad-band X-ray imaging and spectroscopy data, obtained by NuSTAR, allow us to probe sub-PeV electron populations through detecting synchrotron X-ray radiation. Our targets include PeVatron candidates detected by HAWC, the Boomerang nebula, PWNe crushed by supernova remnant shocks (or relic PWNe) and G0.9+0.1 in the Galactic Center. Using Fermi-LAT data and available TeV data, we aim to provide a complete, multi-wavelength view of a diverse class of middle-aged (~10-100 kyrs old) PWNe. Our NuSTAR analysis detected hard X-ray emission from the Eel and Boomerang PWNe and characterized their broad-band X-ray spectra most accurately. We plan to apply both time-evolution and multi-zone PWN models to multi-wavelength spectral energy distribution (SED) data over the radio, X-ray, GeV and TeV bands. In this proceeding, we will review our observational campaign and discuss the preliminary results for some PWNe.