The origin of the X-ray background

Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics

Scientific paper

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Background Radiation, Cosmic X Rays, Extragalactic Radio Sources, Galactic Radiation, X Ray Spectra, Active Galactic Nuclei, Bremsstrahlung, Cosmic Plasma, Diffuse Radiation, Intergalactic Media, Quasars

Scientific paper

Data on the 0 to 50 keV X-ray background are reviewed. The spectrum of the X-ray background fits a thermal bremsstrahlung model remarkably well. This raises the possibility that most of the background is diffuse and originates in a hot intergalactic plasma. Contributions by point sources need not exceed 20% above 3 keV. Below 1 keV, the X-ray background is dominated by a galactic contribution due in part to a combination of hot gas and stars. The spectrum in the range 1 to 3 keV is uncertain. A galactic contribution amounting to a few percent is also observed in the 2 to 10 keV range, possibly due to inverse Compton scattering of starlight by low energy cosmic-ray electrons. The remaining background is highly isotropic, with any fluctuations remaining after accounting for observed classes of sources being 2% on scales of 25 sq deg. An additional component becomes apparent in the spectrum above 100 keV, leading to the MeV bump, possibly due to active galactic nuclei.

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