The nature of the γ-ray source 2EG J2020+4026 (2CG 078+2).
Abstract
The second EGRET catalogue places the bright γ-ray source 2EG J2020+4026 inside the γ-Cygni supernova remnant. The authors report the discovery of a point-like X-ray source, denoted RX J2020.2+4026, which lies close to the centre of the remnant and is within the EGRET error box. RX J2020.2+4026 is also close to the position of an mv= 15 KO V star which could emit the observed X-ray flux. No γ-ray emission would be expected from this star. The stellar association with the X-ray source is, however, by no means certain and offers no simple explanation for 2EG 2020+4026. Assuming that the X-ray object is the counterpart of the γ-ray source, the Fγ/Fx ratio is ≡6000, similar to that of Geminga and higher than the ratios found in all sources apart from pulsars. The fluxes from the γ- and X-ray sources are constant. The EGRET γ-ray spectrum has the characteristics typical of young pulsars. A pulsar with the age and distance of the γ-Cygni SNR is also compatible with the γ-ray flux of 2EG 2020+4026. The authors therefore propose that 2EG 2020+4026 is a pulsar. No radio point source is known at this position and the pulsar may be a Geminga-like, radio-quiet object.
- Publication:
-
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
- Pub Date:
- August 1996
- DOI:
- 10.1093/mnras/281.3.1033
- Bibcode:
- 1996MNRAS.281.1033B
- Keywords:
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- Gamma-Ray Sources: X-Ray Sources;
- Gamma-Ray Sources: Pulsars;
- Gamma-Ray Sources: Supernova Remnants;
- ISM: individual: G78.2+2.1 SNR -- ISM: individual: γ-Cygni SNR -- gamma-rays: observations