Observation of Very High Energy γ‐Rays from the AGN 1ES 2344+514 in a Low Emission State with the MAGIC Telescope

The MAGIC collaboration has observed very high energy gamma-ray emission from the AGN 1ES 2344+514. A gamma-ray signal corresponding to an 11 σ excess and an integral flux of (2.38 ± 0.30 stat ± 0.70 syst ) × 10 -11 cm -2 s -1 above 200 GeV has been obtained from 23.1 hr of data taking between 2005 August 3 and 2006 January 1. The data confirm the previously detected gamma-ray emission from this object during a flare seen by the Whipple collaboration in 1995 and the evidence (below 5 σ significance level) from long-term observations conducted by the Whipple and HEGRA groups. The MAGIC observations show a relatively steep differential photon spectrum that can be described by a power law with a photon index of α = -2.95 ± 0.12 stat ± 0.2 syst between 140 GeV and 5.4 TeV. The observations reveal a low-flux state, about 6 times below the 1995 flare seen by Whipple and comparable with the previous Whipple and HEGRA long-term measurements. During the MAGIC observations no significant time variability was observed.