Gamma radiation as a tracer of the local interstellar gas
Abstract
The ESA COS-B satellite has conducted astronomical observations on the basis of a utilization of gamma-ray emission for more than 6-1/2 years. Gamma rays with energies greater than 50 MeV could be observed. The present investigation is concerned with the current state of knowledge regarding the local interstellar medium at medium latitudes according to the gamma-ray observations made with the aid of the COS-B experiment during the first five years of operation. Attention is given to gamma-ray intensity and gas column densities, the local belt systems, and molecular hydrogen. It is shown that a good correlation exists between high-energy gamma rays and the total absorption along the line-of-sight at intermediate latitudes.
- Publication:
-
Kinematics, Dynamics and Structure of the Milky Way
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- DOI:
- 10.1007/978-94-009-7060-1_6
- Bibcode:
- 1983ASSL..100...31B
- Keywords:
-
- Cos-B Satellite;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Interstellar Extinction;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Molecular Clouds;
- Energetic Particles;
- Galactic Cosmic Rays;
- Gas Density;
- Hydrogen Clouds;
- Orion Nebula;
- Particle Flux Density;
- Astrophysics