Discovery of a VHE gamma-ray source coincident with the supernova remnant CTB 37A

Abstract

The supernova remnant (SNR) complex CTB 37 is an interesting candidate for observations with very high energy (VHE) γ-ray telescopes such as HESS. In this region, three SNRs are seen. One of them is potentially associated with several molecular clouds, a circumstance that can be used to probe the acceleration of hadronic cosmic rays. Methods. This region was observed with the HESS Cherenkov telescopes and the data were analyzed with standard HESS procedures. Recent X-ray observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton were used to search for X-ray counterparts. Results. The discovery of a new VHE γ-ray source HESS J1714-385 coincident with the remnant CTB 37A is reported. The energy spectrum is well described by a power-law with a photon index of Γ = 2.30 ± 0.13 and a differential flux at 1 TeV of Φ0 = (8.7 ± 1.0stat ± 1.8sys) × 10⁻¹³ cm⁻² s⁻¹ TeV⁻¹. The integrated flux above 1 TeV is equivalent to 3% of the flux of the Crab nebula above the same energy. This VHE γ-ray source is a counterpart candidate for the unidentified EGRET source 3EG J1714-3857. The observed VHE emission is consistent with the molecular gas distribution around CTB 37A; a close match is expected in a hadronic scenario for γ-ray production. The X-ray observations reveal the presence of thermal X-rays from the NE part of the SNR. In the NW part of the remnant, an extended non-thermal X-ray source, CXOU J171419.8-383023, is discovered as well. Possible connections of the X-ray emission to the newly found VHE source are discussed.