Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Fermi ToO 060622-1-1

A ToO observation to observe 3C 279 at RA, Dec = 194.0465, 4.2107 (J2000) was approved at 2014-03-31 19:56:40 UTC.

The justification for the ToO is: The GeV flux of the flat spectrum radio quasar 3C 279 measured by Fermi-LAT has exceeded that of the Crab Nebula for the last two days (http://www.nevis.columbia.edu/~errando/monitoring/). This is the first major flare of 3C 279 that can be simultaneously observed by the LAT and ground-based gamma-ray observatories. The VERITAS array has scheduled nightly observations through April 7th, with sensitivity between 150 GeV and several TeV. Other TeV observatories have been alerted, as well as Swift and ground-based optical telescopes. The increased exposure of the LAT during pointed observations is key to increase the time resolution of the gamma-ray light curve, and to extend the spectral reconstruction beyond 10 GeV, where spectral breaks have been previously reported.

The planned duration is 350.00 ks.

The autonomous request threshold during this ToO is LOW.

The ToO observation should begin between 2014-03-31 19:56:40 UTC and 2014-04-07 19:56:40 UTC.

The ToO observation was requested by DR. MANEL ERRANDO.

The ToO commanding order was sent to the MOC at 2014-03-31 20:00:42 UTC.

The MOC acknowledged receipt of this order at 2014-03-31 20:02:31 UTC.

The MOC sent the ToO execution notification at 2014-03-31 22:03:31 UTC.

The ToO order status is Uplinked: SACTOOREQUEST issued 091/21:56:26, target apparently occulted STS