Gamma rays from atomic and molecular gas in the large complex of clouds in Orion and Monoceros.
Abstract
COS-B gamma-ray observations of the large complex of interstellar clouds in Orion and Monoceros are compared with the Columbia CO survey and the Berkeley H I surveys of this region. A good correlation between the gamma-ray emission and the total gas distribution is found. The observed gamma-ray emission can be explained in terms of interactions of cosmic rays distributed uniformly in this region, with the interstellar gas. This correlation is used to calibrate the ratio between the H2 column density and the integrated CO line intensity: N(H2)/WCO = (2.6±1.2)×1020 mol cm-2K-1km-1s, consistent with the value derived from a similar analysis for the inner Galaxy.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- October 1984
- Bibcode:
- 1984A&A...139...37B
- Keywords:
-
- Cos-B Satellite;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Molecular Clouds;
- Orion Nebula;
- Abundance;
- Carbon Monoxide;
- Correlation;
- Gamma Ray Spectra;
- Gas Density;
- Hydrogen Clouds;
- Astrophysics