OSSE/SMM/TGRS observations of positron annihilation radiation

P. A. Milne, J. D. Kurfess, R. L. Kinzer, M. D. Leising, D. D. Dixon

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Extensive observations using the CGRO/OSSE instrument have permitted the first investigations of the distribution of both line and continuum positronium emission in the Galaxy. Maps have been generated of both components of the total annihilation radiation. In addition, potential bulge and disk distributions have been tested against the measurements of each component. At the level of this study, the two emissions appear to follow a similar distribution for both bulge and disk components. Differences between these maps would be suggestive of a variation of the positronium fraction, which is a diagnostic of the characteristics of the annihilation media. The previously reported enhancement of 511 keV emission from positive latitudes is not present at a significant level in the positronium continuum maps. We conclude this discussion with an assessment of the ability of the SPI and IBIS instruments to resolve ambiguities from the OSSE/SMM/TGRS studies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)145-148
Number of pages4
JournalEuropean Space Agency, (Special Publication) ESA SP
Issue number459
StatePublished - Sep 2001
Externally publishedYes
Event4th Integral Workshop -Exploring the Gamma-Ray Universe-2000 - Alicante, Spain
Duration: Sep 4 2000Sep 8 2000

Keywords

  • Gamma rays
  • Observations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Space and Planetary Science

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