Cosmic-ray emission from Cygnus X-3
Abstract
Recent observations1,2 of the X-ray binary source Cygnus X-3 have revealed a flux of ultra-high energy γ rays. Other observations and subsequent models suggest that Cyg X-3 may be a dominant source of galactic high-energy cosmic rays. Here I investigate whether it is possible to escape this conclusion with a model in which most of the energy of accelerated particles at the source is emitted as curvature radiation (that is, radiation emitted by particles travelling on curved paths in a magnetic field so strong that synchrotron radiation is suppressed). I conclude that such a model is not consistent with the observations.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- November 1984
- DOI:
- 10.1038/312347a0
- Bibcode:
- 1984Natur.312..347P
- Keywords:
-
- Astronomical Models;
- Binary Stars;
- Galactic Cosmic Rays;
- X Ray Sources;
- Black Holes (Astronomy);
- Magnetic Fields;
- Pair Production;
- Particle Acceleration;
- Pulsars;
- Space Radiation