Abstract
We report the detection of GeV γ-ray emission from the supernova remnant (SNR) Puppis A with the Fermi Gamma-Ray Space Telescope . Puppis A is among the faintest SNRs yet detected at GeV energies, with a luminosity of only 2.7 × 1034 ( D /2.2 kpc)2 erg s−1 between 1 and 100 GeV. The γ-ray emission from the remnant is spatially extended, with a morphology matching that of the radio and X-ray emission, and is well described by a simple power law with an index of 2.1. We attempt to model the broadband spectral energy distribution (SED), from radio to γ-rays, using standard nonthermal emission mechanisms. To constrain the relativistic electron population we use 7 years of Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe data to extend the radio spectrum up to 93 GHz. Both leptonic- and hadronic-dominated models can reproduce the nonthermal SED, requiring a total content of cosmic-ray electrons and protons accelerated in Puppis A of at least W CR ≈ (1–5) × 1049 erg.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 89 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 759 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 10 2012 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus Subject Areas
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Space and Planetary Science
Keywords
- acceleration of particles
- cosmic rays
- ISM: individual objects (Puppis A)
- radiation mechanisms: non-thermal
- Astronomy
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Astrophysics
- Earth, ocean, space
- Emission
- Exact sciences and technology
- High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
- ISM
- Mathematical models
- Microwaves
- non-thermal radiation mechanisms
- physics
- radio
- sciences of the Universe
- Space telescopes
- Spectral energy distribution
- Supernova remnants
Disciplines
- Astrophysics and Astronomy
- Cosmology, Relativity, and Gravity
- Stars, Interstellar Medium and the Galaxy