Cosmic rays from Cygnus X-3
Abstract
For a long time, the origin of cosmic radiation has represented a challenge to the imagination of astrophysicists. This radiation, which was discovered in 1912, is raining down on the earth from all directions at a uniform rate. Now, however, a major source of cosmic radiation has finally been found in an object called Cygnus X-3. This object is the third-brightest X-ray emitter in the constellation Cygnus. It was first observed by X-ray astronomers in the late 1960s. Recently, it was found that Cygnus X-3 is also the source of high-energy gamma rays. On the basis of the observed gamma rays the object was identified as a source of cosmic radiation. Cygnus X-3 is a binary star system located at a distance of at least 37,000 light years at the edge of the Galaxy. Attention is given to models of Cygnus X-3, mechanisms involved in the production of cosmic rays, problems regarding the identification of the sources of cosmic rays, studies of Cygnus X-3, and details regarding cosmic rays.
- Publication:
-
Scientific American
- Pub Date:
- November 1985
- DOI:
- 10.1038/scientificamerican1185-60
- Bibcode:
- 1985SciAm.253e..60M
- Keywords:
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- Binary Stars;
- Cosmic Ray Showers;
- Energetic Particles;
- Galactic Cosmic Rays;
- Particle Acceleration;
- X Ray Sources;
- Cygnus Constellation;
- Gamma Rays;
- Periodicals;
- Pulsars;
- Stellar Models;
- Space Radiation