Unmasking LHAASO J2108+5157: Near Infrared Insights into a Mysterious TeV Source

TL;DR

This study conducted near-infrared observations of the mysterious TeV gamma-ray source LHAASO J2108+5157, finding no clear counterparts or signs of shocked gas, thus highlighting its enigmatic nature and the need for further investigation.

Contribution

First dedicated near-infrared imaging study of LHAASO J2108+5157, providing constraints on possible counterparts and ruling out some proposed Galactic scenarios.

Findings

No evidence of shocked emission or nebular structures.

The radio source is incompatible with a microquasar or radio galaxy.

No convincing counterpart found within positional uncertainty.

Abstract

LHAASO J2108+5157 is one of the few ultra-high energy gamma-ray sources in the LHAASO catalogue without secure counterpart at longer wavelengths. Several Galactic scenarios have been proposed, including an evolved supernova remnant and a pulsar wind nebula. Yet, no shocked gas, shell-like structure, or compact pulsar candidate has been identified. Follow-up observations with VERITAS and the LST-1 prototype have not firmly clarified its nature. A recent microquasar candidate from GMRT radio data remains uncertain. Here we present the first dedicated near-infrared study of the field, combining deep JHKs imaging with narrow band observations targeting the H2 v=1-0 S(1) line. Our observations were initially planned to encompass the full source region, but now only partially cover the latest updated position and size of LHAASO J2108+5157. We find no evidence of shocked emission, extended nebular structures, or an accreting compact object signature in the covered field. The GMRT radio source, despite its jet-like morphology, exhibits near-infrared properties incompatible with both a Galactic microquasar and a nearby radio galaxy, discouraging an association with the gamma-ray emission. Our analysis reveals no convincing counterpart consistent within the positional uncertainty, leaving LHAASO J2108+5157 as an enigmatic ultra-high energy emitter that requires deeper observations.