Recently, several gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) have been detected in the very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray energy range by ground-based gamma-ray experiments such as MAGIC, H.E.S.S., and LHASSO. For some GRBs, the VHE emission is consistent with synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) emission from high-energy electrons accelerated in the forward shock of the relativistic jet. However, more statistics are needed to further constrain the emission models. GRB 201216C is a long bright GRB detected in a broad energy range from radio to VHE. The redshift is estimated to be 1.1, making the GRB the most distant source detected in the VHE energy range. MAGIC started the observation 56 seconds after the GRB was triggered by the Swift-BAT telescope. We performed a detailed analysis and detected the signal with about 6 sigma in the first 20 minutes. MAGIC continued the observation for 2.2 hours on the same night and 4 hours on the next night. No signal was detected later than 40 minutes after the GRB trigger. We have performed modelling of the multi-wavelength emission using the MAGIC data. We analysed simultaneous optical data from Liverpool Telescope with MAGIC and included the results in the modelling. The sub-TeV emission is consistent with the single-zone SSC model in the forward shock. In this presentation, we show the final results of the MAGIC data analysis of GRB 201216C and discuss the emission mechanism of the multi-wavelength data.
The instrumentation for gamma-ray astronomy has advanced tremendously during the last two decades. The study of the most violent environments in the Universe has opened a new window to understand the frontier of physics, exploring processes that are beyond the capabilities of Earth- based laboratories to replicate. One of the instruments at the forefront of gamma-ray astronomy is the MAGIC stereoscopic system, which consists of two 17-m diameter mirror dish telescopes located at 2200m a.s.l. on the Canary Island of La Palma, in Spain. The year 2023 marks the 20th anniversary of MAGIC, reaching the milestone of 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals over a wide range of research areas, covering astrophysics with Galactic and extragalactic objects, dark matter searches, and cosmology. MAGIC has established itself as a world-wide leading instrument for gamma-ray astronomy in the energy range from 20 GeV to beyond 100 TeV. MAGIC is an active participant in multiple multiwavelength and multimessenger observational campaigns, contributing to our understanding of the universe. In the conference, I will provide a status report of MAGIC, including the discussion of a few outstanding results during the last two decades and the prospects for the near future.
In recent years, the MAGIC telescopes have been equipped with a setup that allows its Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs) to function as an Intensity Interferometer. The deadtime-free setup includes a 4-channel GPU-based real-time correlator together with optical filters in the 350-450 nm wavelength range and specialized Active Mirror Control (AMC) configurations. This implementation allows MAGIC to perform measurements of the spatial coherence (visibility) of the intensity fluctuations of an object’s starlight over several separations (baselines) and construct a model of said object. The accessible baseline range for MAGIC is ~40-90 m which translates into an angular resolution of 0.5-1 mas. Additionally, thanks to the AMC it can access even smaller baselines, of less than 17 m (which is the diameter of each of both dishes) to measure objects of greater angular size (>1 mas) and even measure the zero-baseline correlation, which is key to calibrate the system. We present the latest measurements that allow us to understand the performance and systematics of our setup and validate our analysis.
In 2020, the MAGIC collaboration started an initiative to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the collaboration. One of the major actions undertaken by this initiative was a survey which was distributed among all MAGIC members with the goal of getting a clear picture of the status quo and to identify potential problems or opportunities concerning DEI related topics. Two surveys have since been performed - one in December 2020 and one in June 2022 - covering questions related to demographics, working conditions, recognition, harassment, bullying and discrimination. In this contribution, we present the questionnaire and strategy used to run these surveys. Additionally, we describe the impact the survey had within the collaboration and which actions have been taken as a direct consequence of the survey results.
The prototype Large-Sized Telescope (LST-1) of the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO) is in commissioning phase at the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos at 2200 m a.s.l. in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). LST-1 is a 23-m diameter telescope and is the first of four that will compose the LST part of the CTAO Northern array. The LST subarray is optimized to provide the best sensitivity for gamma rays in the 20 GeV - 200 GeV energy range. The MAGIC telescopes, which are located approximately 100 m from the LST-1, is operating as a two 17-m telescope stereoscopic system for more than 14 years. LST-1 and MAGIC routinely perform joint observations of gamma-ray sources to exploit the potential of the three-telescope system. This contribution describes the analysis pipeline and evaluates the performance of the system using Monte Carlo simulations and data on the Crab Nebula. The sensitivity achieved during joint observations with MAGIC and LST-1 is about 30% higher than that of MAGIC alone.
The next generation facility for gamma-ray ground-based observations is the Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) observatory, which comprises three types of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes (IACTs). The Large-Sized Telescopes (LSTs) of CTA are the largest telescope type with a mirror dish of 23 m diameter. They cover the low energy end of the accessible gamma-ray energies for IACTs, starting from about 20 GeV up to a few TeV. The first LST prototype, known as LST-1, was officially inaugurated at the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos in La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) in 2018 and has since performed calibration observations of various known gamma-ray sources. Additionally, the site houses the MAGIC telescopes, two 17 m IACTs situated approximately 100 m away from LST-1, which have been performing stereo observations since 2009. Currently, joint observations between LST-1 and MAGIC are being carried on, and the data taken independently by the two IACT systems is analyzed by combining events via software. However, this method increases the energy threshold, as it discards all but the relatively high-energy events triggered by all three telescopes. To address this issue, we have developed a novel hardware stereo trigger system between LST-1 and MAGIC, which is capable of handling events triggered by any-two out of the three telescopes. In this contribution, we will report on the performance estimation of joint LST-1 and MAGIC observations using the hardware trigger
The blazars B2 1811+31 and GB6 J1058+2817 were found to be in flaring state during 2020 and 2021, respectively. The high states of the sources were registered by the Fermi-LAT at energies below 100 GeV, triggering observations at higher energies with the MAGIC telescopes, in the UV/X rays with the Swift satellite and with ground-based radio and optical telescopes. The observations in the very-high-energy (VHE, 100 GeV < E < 100 TeV) gamma-ray band led to the first detection of both sources in this energy range. A long-term gamma-ray lightcurve was derived using Fermi-LAT data, identifying the time intervals in which the two sources persisted in a quiet state. Archival data collected in the radio to X-ray wavelengths showed that the two sources exhibited intermediate-synchrotron-peaked BL Lac behaviors in their low states, rather rare sources in the TeV sky. The high state of the two sources was deeply investigated thanks to the coverage provided by multi-wavelength (MWL) observational campaigns. In this contribution, we present the results of the gamma-ray observations which are included in a MWL observational campaign organized on these sources during their high-states. We discuss the flare spectral properties and temporal variability. In the high-energy gamma band, sub-daily-scale variability and strong spectral hardening give evidence for compact emission regions responsible for the radiative output at high energies during the flare.
The blazar S5 0716+714 is an intermediate BL Lacertae object remarkable for its variability in many energy bands. It was discovered by MAGIC in the very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray range in 2008. Later in 2015 an impressive electric vector polarization angle (EVPA) swing was detected in connection with a multiwavelength flaring event including the VHE gamma-ray band. This generated interest in further studies of the jet of this source and its electromagnetic emission at all wavelengths. Since then, MAGIC has monitored the source in coordination with other observatories and here we present the long-term study using data from 2015 to 2022 in a MWL context. The data set also includes the extraordinary flaring activity of 2017, so far the historical maximum detected for this source in the optical and VHE gamma-ray band.
MAGIC is a system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes (IACTs), designed to detect very-high-energy gamma rays, and is operating in stereoscopic mode since 2009 at the Observatorio del Roque de Los Muchachos in La Palma, Spain. In 2018, the prototype IACT of the Large-Sized Telescope (LST-1) for the Cherenkov Telescope Array, a next-generation ground-based gamma-ray observatory, was inaugurated at the same site, at a distance of approximately 100 meters from the MAGIC telescopes. Using joint observations between MAGIC and LST-1, we developed a dedicated analysis pipeline and established the threefold telescope system via software, achieving the highest sensitivity in the northern hemisphere. Based on this enhanced performance, MAGIC and LST-1 have been jointly and regularly observing the Galactic Center, a region of paramount importance and complexity for IACTs. In particular, the gamma-ray emission from the dynamical center of the Milky Way is under debate. Although previous measurements suggested that a supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* plays a primary role, its radiation mechanism remains unclear, mainly due to limited angular resolution and sensitivity. The enhanced sensitivity in our novel approach is thus expected to provide new insights into the question. We here present the current status of the data analysis for the Galactic Center joint MAGIC and LST-1 observations.
RS Ophiuchi (RS Oph) is a symbiotic recurrent nova that shows eruptive events roughly every 15 years. On August 8th, 2021, RS Oph erupted with its latest outburst. This event was detected by a wide range of multi-wavelength (MWL) instruments from radio up to very-high-energy (VHE) gamma rays. The MAGIC telescopes followed up on optical and high-energy triggers and initiated an observation campaign from August 9th till September 1st. RS Oph is the first nova detected in the VHE gamma-ray energy range. We report on the detection of VHE gamma rays at a significant level of 13.2σ during the first 4 days of RS Oph with the MAGIC telescopes. We combine the VHE emission detected by MAGIC with optical and high energy observations and conclude RS Oph accelerated hadrons during its eruption. We will present the MWL modeling revealing this hadronic emission, and its further implications for Galactic cosmic-rays.
There are several types of Galactic sources that can potentially accelerate charged particles up to GeV and TeV energies. These accelerated particles can produce Very High Energy (E>100 GeV) gamma-ray emission through different non-thermal processes such as inverse Compton scattering of ambient photon fields by accelerated electrons or pion decay after proton-proton collisions. Here we present highlight results of observations with the MAGIC telescopes on Galactic sources: millisecond pulsars, supernova remnants (SNRs), pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe), novae and binary systems. In particular, we present the promising PeVatron candidate SNR G106.3+2.7 containing an energetic PWN named Boomerang. Also, in the ongoing search for new source classes we looked for very-high-energy emission from the millisecond pulsar PSR J0218+4232 that has long been considered as one of the best candidates. Furthermore, we present the observations during an exceptionally bright X-ray outburst from the low mass X-ray binary MAXI J1820+070. Finally, we highlight the MAGIC results of the first nova detected at VHEs: RS Ophiuchi, a recurrent symbiotic nova located in the Milky Way. The detection with the MAGIC telescopes proves a hadronic origin of the the gamma-ray emission, and helps in understanding the contribution of novae to the cosmic-ray budget.
The Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) of blazars consists of two components. The low-energy bump is interpreted as synchrotron radiation from accelerated electrons, while the high-energy one is produced via inverse Compton scattering of the electrons by lower-energy photons. In the leptonic model interpretation, the latter comes either from the synchrotron radiation produced by the same population of electrons (Synchrotron Self-Compton, SSC, scenario) or from an external photon field. According to hadronic models, high-energy emission is due to processes involving the protons in the source. The investigation of blazar SED is important to determine which theoretical models are in action and to infer the parameters that drive the microphysics of the system. Multiwavelength (MWL) long-term monitoring of blazars is key since the SED modelling over time allows the study of the radiative processes during different states. The blazar 1ES 1959+650 represents an ideal laboratory for that, being bright at all the wavelengths and located at low redshift (z= 0.047) allowing its detection in the TeV band. Also, it underwent some flaring episodes in the past. A long-term MWL monitoring of 1ES 1959+650 is ongoing under the coordination of the MAGIC collaboration. During the last years, the source is experiencing its lowest state ever reached, mainly at very high energies. This contribution presents the MAGIC+MWL observations of the last 3 years, and the preliminary study focusing on an SSC interpretation of the data.
The high-synchrotron-peaked blazar VER J0521+211 was discovered in 2009 by VERITAS and is located at an unknown distance. In February 2020, the VERITAS collaboration alerted the multi-messenger community of an ongoing flare from the source, followed by a multi-frequency monitoring campaign led by MAGIC, covering energies from radio to very-high-energy (VHE, E>100GeV) which allowed to observe the source in VHE for 6 consecutive nights. Out of these observations, a statistical upper limit to the source redshift at z<0.243 was set using Fermi-LAT and MAGIC data, a value consistent with lower limits derived from optical spectroscopy. The modeling of the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED) and its night-wise evolution is also presented using two types of models: i) a leptonic two-zone synchrotron-self-Compton scenario; ii) a lepto-hadronic one-zone scenario. Both scenarios allow to reproduce the observed SEDs and their night-wise evolution, and have implications on optical polarization and production of neutrinos. For the first scenario, optical polarimetry measurements were compared with the predictions from the evolution of the two-zones. For the second scenario, limits on the production of neutrinos and enhanced photon emission at ultra-high-energies (E>100TeV) from $\pi^0$ decay were computed.
Extreme high-frequency-peaked BL Lac objects (EHBLs) are the most energetic persistent sources in the Universe. They are characterized by a spectral energy distribution (SED) featuring a synchrotron peak energy above 1 keV. 1ES 2344+514 is a blazar known to behave as an EHBL intermittently. Until now, its EHBL nature was only reported during flares, but a coherent picture is missing as unbiased monitoring campaigns are lacking. This work presents the longest observing campaign from radio to very-high-energy (VHE) frequencies performed so far on 1ES2344+514. Using observations during 2019-2021, we carry out a systematic investigation of the intermittent EHBL phases. Together with MAGIC, the dataset also includes X-ray observations from NuSTAR , XMM-Newton , and AstroSAT , providing an unprecedented determination of the two SED components. For the first time we report a clear EHBL behaviour during a low flux activity in 1ES 2344+514. It implies a significant hardening of the electron distribution inside the jet independent of flux. We also detect a bright X-ray state characterized by an unusually soft spectra, thus violating the harder-when-brighter relation typically found in blazars. The SED study further reveals an excess in the ultraviolet data with respect to the extrapolation of the X-ray spectrum, suggesting at least two regions contributing to the synchrotron flux. Finally we investigate a gamma-ray flare not accompanied by an X-ray counterpart. This peculiar outburst is interpreted using a time-dependent model involving two emitting components.