R. Mukherjee

EGRET Observations of the Diffuse Gamma-Ray Emission from the Galactic Plane

The high-energy diffuse gamma-ray emission from the Galactic plane, |b| ≤ 10°, is studied using observations from the Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory. The spatial distribution of the diffuse emission has been determined for four broad energy ranges after removing the contribution from point sources detected with greater than 5 σ significance. The longitude and latitude distributions of the intensity, averaged over 4° latitude ranges and 10° longitude ranges, respectively, are shown for the four energy ranges. Spectra of the diffuse emission in 11 energy bands, covering the energy range 30 MeV to 30 GeV, were determined for 10° × 4° (l × b) bins after correcting for the finite EGRET angular resolution. The average spectrum from the direction of the inner Galaxy is shown for 29 energy bands, covering the energy range 30 MeV to 50 GeV. At latitudes |b| > 2°, corresponding to gamma rays emitted within about 3 kpc of the Sun, there is no significant variation in the spectra with Galactic longitude. Comparison of the spectra from the Galactic plane (|b| < 2°) reveals no significant variation with Galactic longitude below about 4 GeV, which suggests that the cosmic-ray electron to proton ratio does not vary significantly throughout the Galaxy. Above 4 GeV, however, there is weak (about 3 σ) evidence for variation of the Galactic plane (|b| < 2°) spectrum with longitude. The spectrum is softer in the direction of the outer Galaxy by about E compared to the spectrum from the inner Galaxy. This variation of the diffuse gamma-ray emission hints at a variation of the cosmic-ray proton spectrum with Galactic radius, which might be expected if cosmic rays are accelerated primarily in the inner Galaxy and then propagate to the outer Galaxy or if the high-energy cosmic rays are confined less well in the outer Galaxy. The spatial and spectral distributions of the diffuse emission are compared with a model calculation of this emission based on dynamic balance and realistic interstellar matter and photon distributions. The spatial comparison is used to establish the value of the molecular mass calibrating ratio N(H2)/WCO and the cosmic-ray/matter coupling scale r0, which are the only adjustable parameters of the model. Comparisons with the observations indicates N(H2)/WCO = (1.56 ± 0.05) × 1020 mol cm-2 (K km s-1)-1 and r0 = (1.76 ± 0.2) kpc. The spatial agreement between this model and the observation is very good. However, above about 1 GeV the integral intensity predicted by the model is about 60% less than the observed intensity. Although the explanation of this excess is unclear, uncertainties in the neutral pion production function or variations in the cosmic-ray spectrum with Galactic radius may partially account for the underprediction. A small medium-latitude (2° < |b| < 10°) excess in the direction of the inner Galaxy exists and may indicate that the low-energy photon density used in the model is too low.

EGRET Observations of the Gamma‐Ray Source 2CG 135+01

The COS B source 2CG 135+01 has been observed by the EGRET instrument on 10 different occasions during the first ~52 months of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory mission. The source is detected in all but one of the observations. For that one, the exposure was inadequate. The only likely source that is spatially coincident with the gamma-ray position is the radio source GT 0236+610/LS I +61°303. However, there is no compelling evidence for time variations in the gamma-ray emission associated with the radio outbursts from GT 0236+610. Spectral determinations on a timescale of a few days also give no strong evidence for a spectral variation associated with the radio emission of GT 0236+610. Such fluctuations might be expected based on models involving a compact object in an elliptical binary orbit about a massive star. The search for correlations simultaneous with the 8.4 GHz radio outbursts were supported by coordinated observations with the Madrid Deep Space Network during one of the exposures and by Green Bank Interferometer observations on two others. Although there is some possible variability in the gamma-ray flux, it is not clear that it is related to the radio phasing.

EGRET Detection of Pulsed Gamma Radiation from PSR B1951+32

We detected a sixth high-energy gamma-ray pulsar, PSR B1951+32, pulsating in gamma rays at E ≥ 100 MeV with the same 39.5 ms periodicity as in radio, using the data obtained during 1991 May to 1994 July by the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. Although seen only as a weak source amidst the high background of galactic disk emission, the pulsation in high-energy gamma rays is clearly seen. The pulsed radiation has a photon spectral index of -1.74 ± 0.11. There is no evidence as yet for unpulsed emission from the object. The pulsar appears to have an efficiency of ~0.004 for converting its rotational energy loss into gamma rays at E ≥ 100 MeV.

The High-Energy Continuum Emission of the Gamma-Ray Blazar PKS 0528+134

We present Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics (ASCA) observations of the γ-ray blazar PKS 0528+134, obtained at two separate epochs in 1994 August and 1995 March. These data represent the first measurement of the X-ray continuum emission of this source in the medium-hard X-ray band. Both ASCA spectra are consistent with a single power law with photon index Γ ~ 1.7-1.8 and column density NH ~ 5 × 1021 cm-2, higher than Galactic. The X-ray flux increased by a factor of 4 in ~7 months without appreciable change of the spectral shape. During the lower state of 1994 August, PKS 0528+134 was observed simultaneously in the optical, X-rays, and at γ-ray energies with EGRET. The γ-ray intensity is the faintest detected thus far in the source, with a steep spectrum (Γ ~ 2.7). The extrapolation of the X-ray continuum to the γ-ray range requires a sharp spectral break at ~1022 Hz. We discuss the radio through γ-ray spectral energy distribution of PKS 0528+134, comparing the low state of 1994 August with the flare state of 1993 March. We show that in PKS 0528+134, a nonnegligible contribution from the external radiation field is present and that, although synchrotron self-Compton scenarios cannot be ruled out, inverse Compton upscattering of thermal seed photons may be the dominant cooling process for the production of the high-energy continuum in this blazar.

EGRET Observations of Gamma Rays from Point Sources with Galactic Latitude +10 degrees < B < +40 degrees

The EGRET instrument aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) has completed the first all-sky survey in high-energy gamma rays and has repeatedly viewed selected portions of the sky. Analysis of the region with galactic latitude

Cygnus X-3 and EGRET Gamma-Ray Observations

+10\arcdeg < b < +40\arcdeg

Detection of gamma rays with E> 100 MeV from BL Lacertae

indicates the presence of nineteen point sources, including nine which can be identified as active galactic nuclei, some of which have been reported previously, as well as ten other sources with no definite counterparts. Using the combined exposures from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the CGRO viewing program, the spectra, time variability, and positions of all detected sources in this region are determined. It is tentatively suggested that one of the unidentified sources might be associated with the radio galaxy Centaurus A.The EGRET instrument aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (CGRO) has completed the first all-sky survey in high-energy gamma rays and has repeatedly viewed selected portions of the sky. Analysis of the region with galactic latitude

On the nature of the unidentified EGRET sources: Are they Geminga-like pulsars?

+10\arcdeg<b<+40\arcdeg

Comparison of X-Ray- and Radio-selected BL Lacertae Objects in High-Energy Gamma-Ray Observations

indicates the presence of nineteen point sources, including nine which can be identified as active galactic nuclei, some of which have been reported previously, as well as ten other sources with no definite counterparts. Using the combined exposures from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the CGRO viewing program, the spectra, time variability, and positions of all detected sources in this region are determined. It is tentatively suggested that one of the unidentified sources might be associated with the radio galaxy Centaurus A.

AGATE: A high-energy gamma-ray telescope using drift chambers

0!rQ1The Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory observed the Cygnus region in 14 different viewing periods during 1991 May to 1994 July. We present here our results on unpulsed and pulsed emissions of gamma rays at E > 50 MeV from Cyg X-3. While we detect a gamma-ray source consistent with the position of Cyg X-3, there was no evidence for the characteristic ~4.79 hr periodicity observed in X-rays and infrared.