Galactic sources science with AGILE: The case of the Carina Region
Sabatini, S. ; Tavani, M. ; Pian, E. ; Giommi, P. ; Colafrancesco, S. ; Salotti, L.
Jan - 2011

journal : Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A: Accelerators, Spectrometers, Detectors and Associated Equipment

Issue : 1
type: Article Journal

Abstract
Abstract During its first 2 years of operation, the gamma-ray AGILE satellite accumulated an extensive dataset for the Galactic plane. The data have been monitored for transient sources and several gamma-ray sources were detected. Their variability and possible association were studied. In this talk we will focus on the results of extensive observations of the Carina Region during the time period 2007 July2009 January, for a total livetime of < 130 days. The region is extremely complex, hosting massive star formation, with the remarkable colliding wind binary Eta Carinae, massive star clusters and HII regions (e.g. NGC 3324, RCW49, Westerlund II) and a giant molecular cloud extending over 150 pc (between l =284.7 and 289). The Carina Nebula itself is the largest and IR highest surface brightness nebula of the Southern emisphere. We monitored several gamma ray sources in the Carina Region. In particular we detect a gamma ray source (1AGL J1043-5931) consistent with the position of Eta Carinae and report a remarkable 2-days gamma-ray flaring episode from this source on 2008 October 1113. If 1AGL J1043-5931 is associated with the Eta Car system, our data provide the long sought first detection above 100 MeV of a colliding wind binary.

keywords : Gamma rays: observations,Individual stars (Eta Carinae),L. Salotti: ASI authors,Outflows,P. Giommi,S. Colafrancesco: ASI-ASDC authors.,Stars: winds,X-rays: bynaries