X-ray and optical coverage of 3EG J0616-3310 and 3EG J1249-8330

Abstract

The limited angular resolution of gamma-ray telescopes prevents the straight identification of the majority of the sources detected so far. This is particularly true for the low latitude, probably galactic ones, only 10 % of which has been identified. Most of the counterparts are Isolated Neutron Stars, both radio-loud and radio-quiet, characterised by an extremely high value of X-ray-to-optical flux ratio. The best way to search for INSs in the error boxes of unidentified EGRET sources is to perform the X-ray coverage of the gamma-ray field, followed by the optical characterization of each X-ray source. We applied this procedure to two EGRET sources, which could belong to a local galactic population: 3EG J0616-3310 and 3EG J1249-8330. Here we report on the analysis of about 300 X-ray objects, as well as on their optical study.

5 pages, 2 figures; to be published in "Memorie della Societa' Astronomica Italiana", Proceedings of the EPIC Consortium meeting (Palermo, October 14-16, 2003)