High-energy galactic phenomena and the interstellar medium

Observations by the satellites SAS-2 and COS-B and their implications for understanding high-energy galactic phenomena and the interstellar medium are dealt with. The COS-B team has been able to show that there is a correlation between the gamma-ray emission from local regions, as observed at intermediate latitudes, and the total column density of dust, as measured by galaxy counts. The question is examined whether gamma-ray sources represent a new galactic population or whether they are supernova remnants impinging on molecular clouds. The Crab and Vela sources and the mysterious source called Geminga are considered. The subjects of shock acceleration of cosmic rays and supernovae and the interstellar medium are treated.