Diffuse galactic gamma-ray emission.
Abstract
This review concentrates on gamma radiation that originates from cosmic-ray interactions with gas and photons in the interstellar medium. Some basic principles are described and the main observational results are summarized. The interpretation of these findings is discussed. Two important types of inference can be distinguished: the relevance to molecular-gas studies, and the relevance to cosmic rays studies. The status regarding γ-ray point sources is briefly discussed, with emphasis on their possibly diffuse nature.
- Publication:
-
Annual Review of Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- 1989
- DOI:
- 10.1146/annurev.aa.27.090189.002345
- Bibcode:
- 1989ARA&A..27..469B
- Keywords:
-
- Diffuse Radiation;
- Galactic Cosmic Rays;
- Gamma Ray Spectra;
- Cos-B Satellite;
- Interstellar Gas;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Molecular Gases;
- Space Radiation;
- Galaxy: Gamma Rays;
- Interstellar Matter: Gamma Rays;
- Cosmic Rays: Gamma Rays