Gamma rays, cosmic rays, and the dynamics of the galaxy
Abstract
Observations of the galactic gamma-ray emission by the SAS-2 and COS-B satellites are reviewed with regard to galactic cosmic rays and the interstellar medium. Attention is given to the electron component of the cosmic-ray flux in the solar vicinity, the distribution of synchrotron radiation in galaxies, bremsstrahlung and inverse Compton. Arguments in favor of the predominance of the diffuse radiation in the inner galaxy are presented, and the determination of the local emissivity is discussed with regard to deriving the gamma ray emissivity per unit volume in regions of the galactic plane. Also considered are the electron spectrum in the local interstellar medium, cosmic-ray gradients and the universality of the nucleon component.
- Publication:
-
Ninth Texas Symposium on Relativistic Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- February 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1111/j.1749-6632.1980.tb15932.x
- Bibcode:
- 1980NYASA.336..223C
- Keywords:
-
- Cosmic Rays;
- Galactic Structure;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Interstellar Matter;
- Radiant Flux Density;
- Spaceborne Astronomy;
- Cos-B Satellite;
- Electron Spectroscopy;
- Emission Spectra;
- Halos;
- Nucleons;
- Radiation Distribution;
- Sas-2;
- Synchrotron Radiation;
- Space Radiation