Observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud in high-energy gamma rays

Details Observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud in high-energy gamma rays Observations of the Large Magellanic Cloud in high-energy gamma rays

Dec 1992

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1992apj...400l..67s&link_type=abstract

Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters (ISSN 0004-637X), vol. 400, no. 2, p. L67-L70.

Astronomy and Astrophysics

Astronomy

83

Cosmic Rays, Gamma Ray Astronomy, Gamma Rays, Magellanic Clouds, Gamma Ray Observatory, Interstellar Matter, Spatial Distribution

Scientific paper

The LMC provides a valuable site to study gamma-ray production, intensity, and distribution in an external galaxy. Using 4 weeks of data from the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) aboard the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory, high-energy gamma-ray emission was detected for the first time from the LMC region. These gamma rays are believed to be produced primarily through the interaction of cosmic rays with interstellar matter. Hence, combined with a knowledge of the interstellar matter distribution, they can provide a direct measure of the cosmic-ray density in an external galaxy. The results obtained from EGRET observations indicate that the level of cosmic rays in the LMC is comparable to that in our Galaxy. The integrated flux above 100 MeV is (1.9 +/- 0.4) x 10 exp -7 photons/(sq cm s). The measured flux suggests a cosmic-ray density level consistent with that expected from a quasi-stable equilibrium model. This is the first detection of a normal galaxy outside the Milky Way in high-energy gamma rays.

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