The Nature of Unidentified Galactic High-Energy Gamma-Ray Sources

by Carraminana, Alberto; Reimer, Olaf; Thompson, David J.

• ISBN13: 9781402000102
• ISBN10: 1402000103
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Kluwer Academic Pub

Summary

This is the first book dedicated to unidentified celestial gamma-ray sources. The launch of the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory allowed the first all-sky surveys in gamma-rays, the most energetic form of electromagnetic radiation. The Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope discovered more than 270 sources of high-energy protons, more than half of which are not identified with known celestial objects. Most of these objects belong to the Milky Way and more than one class of sources are present among the unidentified sources. Unravelling the nature of all these objects requires the combination of different sorts of instruments, like radio telescopes, optical telescopes, and X-ray satellites, together with the next generations of space and ground-based gamma-ray telescopes. This book presents the current knowledge on the subject and outlines strategies for identification of objects with current astronomical facilities. It provides a forward look by outlining the prospects of future generation gamma-ray telescopes. The contributions are detailed and represent valuable material for undergraduate and postgraduate astrophysics students and researchers in the field.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
Participants to the Workshop	xi
Part I Unidentified Gamma-Ray Sources
Unidentified Gamma-Ray Sources: an Introduction	3	(14)
David J. Thompson
Gamma-Ray Properties of Unidentified EGRET Sources	17	(18)
Olaf Reimer
Multiwavelength Searches and Spectral Aspects of 3EG Sources	35	(16)
Reshmi Mukherjee
Jules Halpern
Part II Correlations
Gamma-Ray Sources off the Galactic Plane	51	(14)
Isabelle A. Grenier
Low-Latitude Gamma-Ray Sources	65	(16)
Gustavo E. Romero
Population Studies of Unidentified γ-Ray Sources	81	(8)
Neil Gehrels
Daryl J. Macomb
David L. Bertsch
David J. Thompson
Robert C. Hartman
Barbara J. Mattson
Population Studies of the EGRET Sources	89	(8)
Sandro Mereghetti
Andrew Chen
Alberto Pellizzoni
Marco Tavani
Stefano Vercellone
Low-Latitude Gamma-Ray Sources and Supernova Remnants	97	(10)
Diego F. Torres
Jorge A. Combi
Gustavo E. Romero
P. Benaglia
Part III High-energy Pulsars
Geminga Pulsars	107	(28)
Alberto Carraminana
X-Ray and Radio Observations of Bright GeV Sources	135	(18)
Mallory S. E. Roberts
Roger W. Romani
Nobuyuki Kawai
Bryan M. Gaensler
Simon Johnston
Gamma-Ray Pulsars: the `Outer Gap' Perspective	153	(14)
Roger W. Romani
Polar Cap Pulsar Models	167	(24)
Matthew G. Baring
Part IV Supernova Remnants and Massive Stars
Massive Stars and Gamma-Ray Sources	191	(6)
Philip Kaaret
Diffuse Sources of High-Energy Gamma Rays in the Milky Way	197	(16)
Seth W. Digel
Shock Acceleration and Photon Production in Supernova Remnants	213	(14)
Donald C. Ellison
X-Ray Studies of Supernova Remnants	227	(18)
Patrick Slane
Part V Galactic Microquasars, Binaries and Black Holes
Microquasars in the Galaxy	245	(10)
Luis F. Rodriguez
I. Felix Mirabel
VLT Observations of Galactic Microquasars	255	(8)
Josep Marti
I. Felix Mirabel
Sylvain Chaty
Luis F. Rodriguez
The Case of LS 5039	263	(8)
Josep M. Paredes
Josep Marti
Marc Ribo
Maria Massi
Non-Pulsating Black Holes as High Energy Gamma-Ray Sources	271	(14)
Brian Punsly
Part VI Identification and Perspectives
TeV Observations of Supernova Remnants and Unidentified Sources	285	(14)
Stephen Fegan
A First EGRET-UNID-Related Agenda for Cherenkov Telescopes	299	(22)
Dirk Petry
γ-Ray Astronomy in the Era of GLAST	321	(10)
Neil Gehrels
The AGILE Gamma-Ray Astronomy Satellite	331	(8)
S. Mereghetti
M. Tavani
A. Argan
A. Chen
P. Caraveo
F. Perotti
S. Vercellone
G. Barbiellini
M. Prest
E. Vallazza
G.Di Cocco
C. Labanti
M. Trifoglio
E. Costa
M. Feroci
I. Lapshov
A. Rubini
P. Soffitta
P. Picozza
A. Morselli
V. Cocco
C. Pittori
D. Zanello
P. Lipari
F. Longo
Multiwavelength Round-Table Presentations	339	(10)
Dirk Petry
Sandro Mereghetti
Alberto Carraminana
Gustavo E. Romero
Part VII Summary
Unidentified Gamma-Ray Sources: Summary and Conclusion	349	(4)
David J. Thompson
Topic Index	353	(2)
Author Index	355