Variable very-high-energy gamma-ray emission from the microquasar LS I +61 303

Science. 2006 Jun 23;312(5781):1771-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1128177. Epub 2006 May 18.

Abstract

Microquasars are binary star systems with relativistic radio-emitting jets. They are potential sources of cosmic rays and can be used to elucidate the physics of relativistic jets. We report the detection of variable gamma-ray emission above 100 gigaelectron volts from the microquasar LS I 61 + 303. Six orbital cycles were recorded. Several detections occur at a similar orbital phase, which suggests that the emission is periodic. The strongest gamma-ray emission is not observed when the two stars are closest to one another, implying a strong orbital modulation of the emission or absorption processes.