A search for TeV gamma rays from SN 1987A in 2001

Abstract

We searched for TeV gamma rays from the remnant of SN 1987A around 5400 days after the supernova. The observations were carried out in 2001, from November 16 to December 11, using the CANGAROO-II imaging atmospheric Cerenkov telescope. In total, 708 minutes of ON- and 1019 minutes of OFF-source data were obtained under good conditions. The detection threshold was estimated to be 1 TeV, owing to the mean zenith angle of 39°. The upper limits for the gamma-ray flux were obtained and compared with the previous observations and theoretical models. The observations indicate that the gamma-ray luminosity is lower than 1 × 1037 ergs s-1 at ∼10 TeV.