The radial distribution of galactic gamma-rays. I - Emissivity and extent in the outer galaxy
Abstract
A method is presented by which the radial distribution of galactic high-energy gamma rays can be determined. It is shown that beyond the solar circle, the gamma ray intensity is proportional to the H I column density alone, and that the emissivity in the 70 MeV-5 GeV energy range is only about 15 percent lower than the local value. The radial distribution of the H I with which the gamma rays are correlated is examined and it is shown that a significant fraction of the gamma ray emission originates at large galactocentric distances, which implies the cosmic rays must be abundant in the outer galaxy.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- April 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1086/161873
- Bibcode:
- 1984ApJ...279..136B
- Keywords:
-
- Galactic Cosmic Rays;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- High Energy Interactions;
- Hydrogen Clouds;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Radial Distribution;
- Emissivity;
- Luminosity;
- Particle Flux Density;
- Space Radiation