Abstract for Proposal 090413
Studying the Intermittent Extreme Nature of the TeV Blazar 1ES 2344+51.4
The goal of this proposal is to study the blazar 1ES2344+51.4 in different
flux states to disentangle the source's intermittent extreme nature. While
high-sensitivity observations are available at low state, the intermediate
and high state was not yet measured with XMM-Newton. For a systematic
study, we propose a total of 40ks split in four observations of 10ks
each, covering intermediate and high flux states triggered based on
monitoring at very high energies and in X-rays. Based on measurements of
the broad-band SEDs, the goal is to determine in which cases the extreme
behaviour of 1ES2344+51.4 occurs and investigate the correlation of the
peak position with the flux state. Combined with MWL observations, this
will provide new interesting insights to the extreme behaviour of blazars.
Details on Observing Strategy and Trigger Criteria
4 ToO observations (10 ks each), 2 in intermediate and high state each
intermediate flux state: X-ray count rate in Swift/XRT between 0.6 cts/s
and 1.5 cts/s or VHE flux between 0.1 and 0.5 Crab Units high flux state:
X-ray count rate in Swift/XRT above 1.5 cts/s or VHE flux above 0.5 Crab
Units reaction time: 24 hours, if possible (as a typical duration of the
flux states is around 3 days, longer reaction time is not a problem)
if possible, the observations should be coordinated with the next VHE
observations (the times will be communicated with the submission of the
ToO and the VHE schedule can be adapted flexibly)