Statistical Reliability of Gamma-Ray Line Observations
Abstract
A procedure for evaluating the statistical significance and the confidence levels of a positive source and of line observations in gamma-ray astronomy is presented. The formulas derived make use of maximum likelihood ratio testing. The method is applied to a number of measurements of gamma-ray lines from Crab Nebula, Galactic center, Galactic plane, solar flare, and transient events, and several statistically reliable measurements are thereby distinguished.
- Publication:
-
International Cosmic Ray Conference
- Pub Date:
- August 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983ICRC....1...76L
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Spectroscopy;
- Gamma Ray Spectra;
- Line Spectra;
- Maximum Likelihood Estimates;
- Statistical Analysis;
- Confidence Limits;
- Cosmic X Rays;
- Crab Nebula;
- Galactic Nuclei;
- Reliability Analysis;
- Solar Flares;
- Solar X-Rays;
- Space Radiation