Very high energy $γ$-ray emission from RBS 0679

In this paper we report the \textit{Fermi} Large Area Telescope (LAT) detection of Very High Energy (VHE; $E_γ>100$ GeV) $γ$-ray emission from the BL Lac object RBS 0679. $5.3$ years of LAT observations revealed the presence of three VHE photon events within 0.1 degrees of RBS 0679, with a subsequent unbinned likelihood analysis finding RBS 0679 to be a source of VHE photons at $6.9$ standard deviations ($σ$). An unbinned likelihood analysis of the $0.1-100$ GeV data, binned in 28-day periods, finds both the flux and spectral index to be variable, with a `softer-when-brighter' trend in the global $γ$-ray characteristics. On the other hand, the 28-day periods in which the VHE photons were detected have spectral indices that are consistent with the $5.3$ year average suggesting that the observed VHE emission is not associated with a spectral hardening event. The discovery of RBS 0679 in the $100-300$ GeV energy range, combined with the non-detection above 390 GeV with the H.E.S.S. telescope array, suggest RBS 0679 to be an intriguing source that requires further follow-up observations with ground-based $γ$-ray observatories.

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