MAGIC observations of MWC 656, the only known Be/BH system

Abstract

Context: MWC 656 has recently been established as the first observationally detected high-mass X-ray binary system containing a Be star and a black hole (BH). The system has been associated with a gamma-ray flaring event detected by the AGILE satellite in July 2010. Aims: Our aim is to evaluate if the MWC 656 gamma-ray emission extends to very high energy (VHE > 100 GeV) gamma rays. Methods. We have observed MWC 656 with the MAGIC telescopes for $\sim$23 hours during two observation periods: between May and June 2012 and June 2013. During the last period, observations were performed contemporaneously with X-ray (XMM-Newton) and optical (STELLA) instruments. Results: We have not detected the MWC 656 binary system at TeV energies with the MAGIC Telescopes in either of the two campaigns carried out. Upper limits (ULs) to the integral flux above 300 GeV have been set, as well as differential ULs at a level of $\sim$5% of the Crab Nebula flux. The results obtained from the MAGIC observations do not support persistent emission of very high energy gamma rays from this system at a level of 2.4% the Crab flux.

arXiv commentAccepted for publication in A&A. 5 pages, 2 figures, 2 tables

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Cited by in corpus (11)

• The First Simultaneous X-Ray/Radio Detection of the First Be/BH System MWC 656
• Constraints on particle acceleration in SS433/W50 from MAGIC and H.E.S.S. observations
• Optical spectroscopy of Be/gamma-ray binaries
• Possible contribution of X-ray binary jets to the Galactic cosmic ray and neutrino flux
• The gamma-ray source AGL J2241+4454 as the possible counterpart of MWC 656
• Gamma-ray observations of MAXI J1820+070 during the 2018 outburst
• Optical spectroscopy of the Be/black hole binary MWC656 -- interaction of a black hole with a circumstellar disc
• Radius, rotational period and inclination of the Be stars in the Be/gamma-ray binaries MWC 148 and MWC 656
• A Very-High-Energy Gamma-Ray View of the Transient Sky
• On Integral Upper Limits Assuming Power Law Spectra and the Sensitivity in High-Energy Astronomy
• Further evidence for natal kick segregation by spectral type in high-mass X-ray binaries