Diffuse Gamma Rays with Energies Greater than 1 X 10 14 eV Observed in the Southern Hemisphere
Abstract
The data of extensive air showers with a low content of muons and hadrons, observed in the period 1964-1966 at Mount Chacaltaya in Bolivia, have been reanalyzed. Arrival directions of those showers selected so as to favor small initiation depths in the atmosphere (to enhance the contribution from gamma-ray-initiated showers) reveal a 3.8 sigma peak above an expected background from the region of alpha = 180-210 deg in the band of delta = 0 to -40 deg. The integral flux of diffuse gamma-rays above 1 x 10 to the 14th eV estimated from this excess is about 6.0 x 10 to the -12th/sq cm per sec per sr. In order to explain this very high flux, the possible contribution of gamma-rays from Loop 1 as well as the inverse Compton photons produced in the 2.7 K photon background as progeny of gamma-rays from Cyg X-3-like sources.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- March 1988
- DOI:
- 10.1086/166161
- Bibcode:
- 1988ApJ...326.1036S
- Keywords:
-
- Cosmic Ray Showers;
- Diffuse Radiation;
- Energetic Particles;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Southern Sky;
- Electrons;
- Flux Quantization;
- Photons;
- Point Sources;
- X Ray Sources;
- Space Radiation;
- GAMMA RAYS: GENERAL