Studies in Theoretical Astrophysics: Diffuse Galactic Radiation, Cosmic-Ray Electrons, and the Crab Nebula.
Abstract
The galactic ridge is interpreted as a population of intrinsically weak X-ray sources, and calculations are presented of the predicted intensity as a function of scale height and radial gradient. It is shown that data from muon-poor earth air showers indicate that the cosmic-ray electron spectrum does soften at a few hundred GeV. This situation rules out theories of a magnetobremsstrahlung origin for the diffuse galactic X-rays. A two-component theory is suggested for the X-rays with an inverse Compton contribution and a discrete, unresolved source contribution. A simple particle diffusion theory with a finite injection region is described which agrees in detail with the optical isophotal and spectral data on the Crab Nebula. An extrapolation yields the predicted X-ray surface brightness. The nebula and pulsar parameters are derived on the basis of a magnetic dipole radiating Crab pulsar.
- Publication:
-
Ph.D. Thesis
- Pub Date:
- 1975
- Bibcode:
- 1975PhDT.........9W
- Keywords:
-
- Physics: Astronomy and Astrophysics;
- Cosmic Rays;
- Crab Nebula;
- Electrons;
- Galactic Radiation;
- Background Radiation;
- Gamma Rays;
- Particle Diffusion;
- Pulsars;
- Radio Waves;
- Supernova Remnants;
- X Ray Sources;
- Astrophysics