Search for VHE gamma rays from SS433/W50 with the CANGAROO-II telescope

Abstract

SS433, located at the center of the supernova remnant W50, is a close proximity binary system consisting of a compact star and a normal star. Jets of material are directed outwards from the vicinity of the compact star symmetrically to the east and west. Non-thermal hard X-ray emission is detected from lobes lying on both sides. Shock accelerated electrons are expected to generate VHE gamma rays through the inverse-Compton process in the lobes. Observations of the western X-ray lobe region of SS433/W50 system have been performed to detect VHE gamma rays using the 10 m CANGAROO-II telescope in August and September, 2001, and July and September, 2002. The total observation times are 85.2 h for ON source, and 80.8 h for OFF source data. No significant excess of VHE gamma rays has been found at three regions of the western X-ray lobe of SS433/W50 system. We have derived 99% confidence level upper limits to the fluxes of gamma rays and have set constraints on the strengths of the magnetic fields assuming the synchrotron/inverse-Compton model for the wide energy range of photon spectrum from radio to TeV. The derived lower limits are 4.3 μG for the center of the brightest X-ray emission region and 6.3 μG for the far end from SS433 in the western X-ray lobe. In addition, we suggest that the spot-like X-ray emission may provide a major contribution to the hardest X-ray spectrum in the lobe. © 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.