Astronomy and Astrophysics – Astrophysics
Scientific paper
2003-06-12
Astron.Astrophys.407:L73,2004
Astronomy and Astrophysics
Astrophysics
5 pages, 1 figure. Revised version accepted for publication in A&A Letter. Improved and extended discussion
Scientific paper
10.1051/0004-6361:20031088
We examine the cosmic ray proton (CRp) population within the giant elliptical galaxy M 87 using the TeV gamma-ray detection of the HEGRA collaboration. In our scenario, the gamma-rays are produced by decaying pions which result from hadronic CRp interactions with thermal gas of the interstellar medium of M 87. By comparing the gamma-ray emission to upper limits of EGRET, we constrain the spectral index of the CRp population to alpha(GeV,TeV) < 2.275 within our scenario. Both the expected radial gamma-ray profile and the required amount of CRp support this hadronic scenario. The accompanying radio mini-halo of hadronically originating cosmic ray electrons is outshone by the synchrotron emission of the relativistic jet of M 87 by one order of magnitude. According to our predictions, the future GLAST mission should allow us to test this hadronic scenario.
Ensslin Torsten A.
Pfrommer Christoph
No associations
LandOfFree
Probing the Cosmic Ray Population of the Giant Elliptical Galaxy M 87 with Observed TeV Gamma-Rays does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Probing the Cosmic Ray Population of the Giant Elliptical Galaxy M 87 with Observed TeV Gamma-Rays, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Probing the Cosmic Ray Population of the Giant Elliptical Galaxy M 87 with Observed TeV Gamma-Rays will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-408698