A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Multi-wavelength observations of the binary system PSR B1259-63/LS 2883 around the 2014 periastron passage
Authors: Chernyakova M, Neronov A, van Soelen B, Callanan P, O'Shaughnessy L, Babyk I, Tsygankov S, Vovk I, Krivonos R, Tomsick JA, Malyshev D, Li J, Wood K, Torres D, Zhang S, Kretschmar P, McSwain MV, Buckley DAH, Koen C
Publisher: OXFORD UNIV PRESS
Publication year: 2015
Journal: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Journal name in source: MONTHLY NOTICES OF THE ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY
Journal acronym: MON NOT R ASTRON SOC
Volume: 454
Issue: 2
First page : 1358
Last page: 1370
Number of pages: 13
ISSN: 0035-8711
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mnras/stv1988
We report on the results of the extensive multi-wavelength campaign from optical to GeV gamma-rays of the 2014 periastron passage of PSR B1259-63, which is a unique high-mass gamma-ray emitting binary system with a young pulsar companion. Observations demonstrate the stable nature of the post-periastron GeV flare and prove the coincidence of the flare with the start of rapid decay of the Ha equivalent width, usually interpreted as a disruption of the Be stellar disc. Intensive X-ray observations reveal changes in the X-ray spectral behaviour happening at the moment of the GeV flare. We demonstrate that these changes can be naturally explained as a result of synchrotron cooling of monoenergetic relativistic electrons injected into the system during the GeV flare.