Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Letter
  • Published:

The discrete source component of galactic γ rays

Abstract

THE question of the relative contributions from discrete sources and continuum to the flux of cosmic γ rays is a continuing one, with published estimates varying from a 10% source contribution1 to more than 40%2 and even to a possible 100%3. Since these estimates have mainly been based on parts of the necessarily incomplete set of only 13 known γ-ray sources4, it is not surprising that such a wide variety of conclusions is possible. The basic reason is the limited angular resolution of contemporary γ-ray detectors (1.5°), and it is unlikely that great improvements will be made in the near future.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Strong, A. W., Wolfendale, A. W. & Dahanayake, C. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 179, 69P–72P (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. Bignami, G. F., Caraveo, P. & Maraschi, L. Astr. Astrophys. 67, 149–152 (1978).

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  3. Coe, M. J., Quenby, J. J. & Engel, A. R. Nature 274, 343 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  4. Hermsen, W. et al. Nature 269, 494–495 (1977).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Strong, A. W., Wolfendale, A. W., Bennett, K. & Wills, R. D. Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 182, 751–760 (1978).

    Article  ADS  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Brindle, C., French, D. K. & Osborne, J. L., Mon. Not. R. astr. Soc. 184, 283–302 (1978).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  7. Forman, W. et al. Astrophys. J. (in the press); Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge, Mass., Preprint: Addendum to 4th UHURU Catalogue (1978).

  8. Hulse, R. A. & Taylor, J. H. Astrophys. J. Lett. 201, L55 (1975).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  9. Taylor, J. H. & Manchester, R. N. Astrophys. J. 215, 885–896 (1977).

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. Giaconni, R. in High Energy Physics and Its Relation to Elementary Particle Physics (eds Brecher, K. & Setti, G.) (M.I.T. Press, 1974).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

PROTHEROE, R., STRONG, A., WOLFENDALE, A. et al. The discrete source component of galactic γ rays. Nature 277, 542–543 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/277542a0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/277542a0

Comments

By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.

Search

Quick links

Nature Briefing

Sign up for the Nature Briefing newsletter — what matters in science, free to your inbox daily.

Get the most important science stories of the day, free in your inbox. Sign up for Nature Briefing