Diffuse continuum gamma rays from the Galaxy observed by COMPTEL.
Abstract
The diffuse Galactic continuum gamma-ray emission has been studied using the full Sky Survey from COMPTEL on the Compton Observatory CGRO. The diffuse emission appears to be visible in the whole 0.75-30MeV range covered by the instrument, although a considerable contribution from unresolved point sources cannot be excluded. A correlation analysis using HI and CO surveys of the Galaxy is used to derive the Galactic emissivity spectrum, and this is consistent with a smooth continuation to the spectrum at higher energies derived by a similar analysis of COS-B data. The apparent conversion factor from integrated CO temperature to molecular hydrogen column density can also be determined from the correlation analysis. The value obtained is consistent with results from COS-B and other non-gamma-ray methods. Calculations of the emissivity spectrum from bremsstrahlung from a cosmic-ray electron spectrum based on propagation models are compared with the observations.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- December 1994
- Bibcode:
- 1994A&A...292...82S
- Keywords:
-
- Computational Astrophysics;
- Continuums;
- Cosmic Rays;
- Emission;
- Galactic Halos;
- Galaxies;
- Gamma Rays;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Plasma Clouds;
- Point Sources;
- Spectrum Analysis;
- Astronomical Models;
- Bremsstrahlung;
- Correlation;
- Emission Spectra;
- Gamma Ray Observatory;
- Hydrogen;
- Sky Surveys (Astronomy);
- Astrophysics;
- GAMMA RAYS: OBSERVATIONS;
- COSMIC RAYS;
- INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM: CLOUDS;
- INTERSTELLAR MEDIUM: GENERAL