Time-variable positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center direction

Abstract

view Abstract Citations (57) References (17) Co-Reads Similar Papers Volume Content Graphics Metrics Export Citation NASA/ADS Time-variable positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center direction Leventhal, M. ; MacCallum, C. J. ; Huters, A. F. ; Stang, P. D. Abstract The results of a study of the galactic center source of 511 keV annihilation-line radiation obtained by the third flight of a ballon-borne germanium gamma-ray telescope over Alice Springs, Australia, are presented and the implications of the measurement with respect to source models are discussed. Results show that the source is in an 'off' or 'low' state, and that the best fit experimental value for the line flux at earth is zero, with a '1 sigma' upper bound of 0.00038 photons/sq cm sec. A discussion of this null result is presented in the context of other measurements and available theoretical models, the most promising of which involve a galactic supernova or a central compact object like a massive black hole. Publication: The Astrophysical Journal Pub Date: September 1982 DOI: 10.1086/183858 Bibcode: 1982ApJ...260L...1L Keywords: Galactic Nuclei; Gamma Ray Astronomy; Milky Way Galaxy; Positron Annihilation; Balloon-Borne Instruments; Black Holes (Astronomy); Energy Spectra; Astrophysics full text sources ADS |