# COMPTEL Time-Averaged All-Sky Point Source Analysis

## Introduction

The imaging COMPTEL experiment aboard CGRO is the pioneering satellite experiment of the MeV-sky ($``$1 - 30 MeV). For a detailed description of COMPTEL see Schonfelder93 . One of COMPTEL’s prime goals is the generation of all-sky maps, which provide a summary on the MeV-sky in total. This goal has been achieved by e.g. Strong97 , Bloemen99  who generated maximum-entropy all-sky images and by Blom97 , who generated the first COMPTEL all-sky maximum-likelihood maps, which – compared to maximum-entropy ones – have the advantage of providing quantitative results like significances and fluxes of source features. Here we present all-sky maximum-likelihood maps from which models of the diffuse emission have been removed. Our emphasis is on AGN. For a discussion on the method see Bloemen00  in these proceedings.

The main analysis goals are 1) to derive a summary of known COMPTEL point sources, 2) to search for further point sources, 3) to derive time-averaged quantitative parameters (’first order’) of our brightest point sources, i.e., significances, fluxes, MeV-spectra, and possible time variability, and 4) to further investigate our data and analysis methods.

## Data and Analysis Method

Using all data from the beginning of the CGRO mission (April ’91) to the end of CGRO Cycle VI (Nov. ’97), we generated a consistent database of relevant COMPTEL data sets (events, exposure, geometry) for individual CGRO viewing periods (VPs) in the 4 standard energy bands (0.75-1, 1-3, 3-10, 10-30 MeV) in galactic coordinates by applying consistent data selections. This database was supplemented by relevant data sets containing models describing the galactic diffuse $`\gamma `$-ray emission (HI, CO, and inverse-Compton components) and the isotropic extragalactic $`\gamma `$-ray background emission. To check for time variability of $`\gamma `$-ray sources these data sets were combined for different time periods: the six individual CGRO Phases/Cycles, the sum of all data (CGRO Phases I-VI; April ’91 - Nov. ’97) as well as the first (CGRO Phases I-III; April ’91 - Oct. ’94) and the second half (CGRO Phases IV-VI; Oct. ’94 - Nov. ’97). Each set of all-sky data is analysed by our standard maximum-likelihood method which simultaneously ’handles’ individual VPs, generates, iteratively, a background model (see Bloemen94 ), and finally generates significance and flux maps and/or significances and fluxes for individual sources. Because we are interested in point sources, the diffuse emission is always removed in the fitting procedure (e.g. Figure 1). For the derivation of the source fluxes (see Figure 2 as an example), the point sources of interest (e.g. 3C 273, Cyg X-1) have additionally been included in the fitting procedure. We like to mention however, that the results derived by such all-sky fits should be considered correct to first order only. To derive final/optimal results for a particular source, a dedicated analysis has to be carried out, which e.g. makes several cross checks by applying different background models and would take into account the presence of other source features in the region of interest. Also, along the galactic plane the results depend on the ’goodness’ of the applied diffuse emission models for the MeV-band.

## Results

The significance maps in Figure 1, which contain all data of the first 6.5 years of the COMPTEL mission, are the first COMPTEL all-sky point source maps in the continuum bands. They provide a summary of the on-average brightest and most significant MeV-sources. Similar maps focussing on the Galactic plane only are given elsewhere in these proceedings (). The Crab – for display reasons removed in all maps of Figure 1 – is by far the most significant COMPTEL point source. In the 1-3 MeV band for example it reaches a significance of $``$110$`\sigma `$ (i.e. a likelihood ratio of $``$12000) for the CGRO Phase I-VI period. With significances of $``$11$`\sigma `$, $``$10$`\sigma `$, and $``$6$`\sigma `$ in the 1-3, 3-10, and 10-30 MeV bands is the quasar 3C 273 found to be on average the second most significant point source. Its fluxes in these bands are between 10% and 15% of the Crab flux. Several other extragalactic (e.g. 3C 279, PKS 0528+134, Cen A) and galactic (e.g. Cyg X-1, PSR 1509-58, a known but unidentified source at l;b: 18<sup>o</sup>;0<sup>o</sup>) sources are visible as well. In addition there are indications for previously unknown source features like at l;b: 75<sup>o</sup>;+65<sup>o</sup> in the 1-3 MeV map and at l;b: 85<sup>o</sup>;-65<sup>o</sup> in the 3-10 MeV map for example. Such spots are promising candidates for further dedicated analyses. This time-averaged approach suppresses sources which flare up only in short time periods. Therefore the maps show fewer sources than are listed in the COMPTEL source catalog (see Schonfelder99 ).

For all bright and significant COMPTEL sources we have derived fluxes in our 4 standard energy bands for the different time periods mentioned above, and have combined them to MeV light curves and spectra. Some results for 3C 273 are shown as an example in Figure 2. In the 1-10 MeV energy band 3C 273 is detected in each CGRO Phase/Cycle i.e. in time periods of typically 1 year. The flux turns out to be rather stable and varies only within a factor of $``$2 in the 1-3 MeV and within a factor of $``$4 in the 3-10 MeV energy band. The spectra show the same trend. Whereas the flux below 3 MeV turns out to be same for both halves, there is an indication that at the upper COMPTEL energies ($`>`$3 MeV) the source was brighter during the second half. All three spectra clearly show the spectral turnover occuring at MeV-energies. However, we emphasize that for final conclusions a dedicated source analysis has to be carried out.

## Summary

We have applied the maximum-likelihood method to COMPTEL all-sky data of different time periods. By simultaneously fitting models for the different diffuse emission components, this analysis method provided quantitative all-sky results – significances and fluxes – on point sources. An all-sky summary on their time-averaged fluxes and significances is thereby provided. After the Crab – pulsar plus nebula – the quasar 3C 273 was found to be the most significant COMPTEL MeV-source, having time-averaged fluxes of the order of 10% to 15% of the Crab. Additional evidence for previously unknown source features has been found as well.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The COMPTEL project is supported by the German government through DARA grant 50 QV 9096 8, by NASA under contract NAS5-26645, and by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).