Diffuse gamma-ray emission from the Galactic center and implications of its past activities
Abstract
It has been indicated that low-luminosity active galactic nuclei (LLAGNs) are accelerating high-energy cosmic-ray (CR) protons in their radiatively inefficient accretion flows (RIAFs). If this is the case, Sagittarius A* (Sgr A*) should also be generating CR protons, because Sgr A* is a LLAGN. Based on this scenario, we calculate a production rate of CR protons in Sgr A* and their diffusion in the central molecular zone (CMZ) around Sgr A*. The CR protons diffusing in the CMZ create gamma-rays through pp interaction. We show that the gamma-ray luminosity and spectrum are consistent with observations if Sgr A* was active in the past.
- Publication:
-
The Multi-Messenger Astrophysics of the Galactic Centre
- Pub Date:
- January 2017
- DOI:
- arXiv:
- arXiv:1610.00711
- Bibcode:
- 2017IAUS..322..214F
- Keywords:
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- cosmic rays;
- galaxies: active;
- gamma rays: theory;
- Astrophysics - High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena;
- Astrophysics - Astrophysics of Galaxies
- E-Print:
- Proceedings of IAU Symposium 322 (The Multi-Messenger Astrophysics of the Galactic Centre)