Variable positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center region
Abstract
HEAO 3 Cosmic Gamma-Ray Spectrometer evidence is presented for the existence of a time-varying, unshifted, narrow 511 keV line emission from the vicinity of the galactic center. Although uncertainties exist regarding the spatial extent of the features as well as its centroid, all data are consistent with emission from a single point source located at the galactic center. This interpretation would require a source luminosity of 2 x 10 to the 37th ergs/sec, and a positron annihilation rate of about 10 to the 43rd/sec. It is concluded that a variable source of positrons which could generate such an annihilation figure might be a massive black hole at the galactic center, as has been suggested by IR observations.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1981
- DOI:
- 10.1086/183613
- Bibcode:
- 1981ApJ...248L..13R
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Galactic Radiation;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Positron Annihilation;
- Emission Spectra;
- Heao 3;
- Point Sources;
- Space Radiation