Gamma rays from compact binary systems

Abstract

Some of the very high energy (VHE) gamma‐ray sources detected with the modern generation of Cherenkov telescopes have been identified with previously known X‐ray binary systems. These detections demonstrate the richness of non‐thermal phenomena in compact galactic objects containing relativistic outflows or winds produced near black holes and neutron stars. Recently, the well‐known microquasar Cygnus X‐3 seems to be associated with a gamma‐ray source detected with AGILE. Here I summarise the main observational results on gamma‐ray emission from X‐ray binaries, as well as some of the proposed scenarios to explain the production of VHE gamma‐rays.