Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope

Fermi ToO 090606-1-1

A ToO observation to observe M87 at RA, Dec = 187.7059, 12.3911 (J2000) was approved at 2017-03-30 17:32:43 UTC.

The justification for the ToO is: A major multiwavelength campaign is currently underway to study the radio galaxy M87. It involves 3 hrs of nightly VHE exposure by HESS, MAGIC, or VERITAS over two periods: 03/22-04/06, and 04/16-04/20. These overlap with two 8hr full-synthesis Event Horizon Telescope plus ALMA observations of M87 in the 04/05 to 04/14 window, VLBI observations (EVN, KaVA, VLBA, and Global mm-Array), Swift monitoring, and Chandra visits. We request to enhance the LAT exposure to M87 while maintaining all-sky daily exposure during its prime visibility window at both VHE and the EHT, for 6 days starting on 04/04 00:00 UTC. M87 is relatively faint, >0.1 GeV flux ~1E-7 ph/cm2/s and the request will help to maximize the LAT photon statistics during the campaign. We welcome input on the best pointing strategy.

The planned duration is 518.00 ks.

The autonomous request threshold during this ToO is LOW.

The ToO observation should begin between 2017-04-04 00:00:00 UTC and 2017-04-11 00:00:00 UTC.

The ToO observation was requested by DR. JUAN M SANTANDER.

Exposure Map for Week 461

Exposure Map
  • Energy Band: 100.00 MeV to 200000.00 MeV
  • The ToO is inserted in the Mission Week 461 timeline from 2017-089-15:52:00 to 2017-095-15:46:00.
  • Exposure is 2.1173e+09 cm^2 s^1 at the ToO location (RA=187.7059, dec=12.3911)
  • Orbit latitude of the pointing is -0.8334 degrees