Abstract

Flat spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs), a subclass of blazars, are characterized by a steep γ-ray spectrum which makes their detection in the very high energy domain (VHE, >100 GeV) challenging. Up to Feb 2013 there are only three FSRQs unambiguously discovered in this energy regime, all three detected at least once by MAGIC, a stereoscopic system of two Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Telescopes located on La Palma, Canary islands. Here we present the latest MAGIC results together with simultaneous multiwavelength observations on two out of the three FSRQs, 3C 279 and PKS 1510-089. 3C 279 (z=0.536) was observed by the MAGIC telescopes as part of two distinct campaigns in 2011: regular monitoring between February and April and follow up observations in June after high activity in optical regime and high energy γ rays (HE, 100 MeV-100 GeV). None of the campaigns resulted in a significant detection at VHE, consequently upper limits on the flux in the energy range 125−500 GeV have been computed. PKS 1510-089 (z=0.36) was observed with the MAGIC telescopes from February to April 2012, as follow up observations after alerts from Fermi-LAT and AGILE collaborations. We detected the source in the VHE regime at >5 sigma significance. We complement MAGIC observations of 3C 279 and PKS 1510-089 with simultaneous multiwavelength observations in high-energy γ rays, X-rays, optical and radio wavelengths and polarization observations. With this study of the spectral and variability features observed from radio to VHE γ rays, we aim at identifying the physical processes responsible for the emission from this class of sources.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013
PublisherSociedade Brasileira de Fisica
ISBN (Electronic)9788589064293
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2013
Event33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Duration: 2 Jul 20139 Jul 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013
Volume2013-October

Conference

Conference33rd International Cosmic Rays Conference, ICRC 2013
Country/TerritoryBrazil
CityRio de Janeiro
Period2/07/139/07/13

Keywords

  • 3C 279
  • FSRQs
  • Gamma rays
  • Multiwavelength
  • PKS 1510-089

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nuclear and High Energy Physics

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