Funk S (2007)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2007
Book Volume: 309
Pages Range: 203-207
Journal Issue: 1-4
DOI: 10.1007/s10509-007-9461-4
In a novel approach in observational high-energy gamma-ray astronomy, observations carried out by imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes provide necessary templates to pinpoint the nature of intriguing, yet unidentified EGRET gamma-ray sources. Using GeV-photons detected by EGRET and taking advantage of high spatial resolution images from H.E.S.S. observations, we were able to shed new light on the EGRET observed gamma-ray emission in the Kookaburra complex, whose previous coverage in the literature is somewhat contradictory. 3EG J 14206038 very likely accounts for two GeV gamma-ray sources (E > 1 GeV), both in positional coincidence with the recently reported pulsar wind nebulae (PWN) by HESS in the Kookaburra/Rabbit complex. PWN associations at VHE energies, supported by accumulating evidence from observations in the radio and X-ray band, are indicative for the PSR/plerionic origin of spatially coincident, but still unidentified Galactic gamma-ray sources from EGRET. This not only supports the already suggested connection between variable, but unidentified low-latitude gamma-ray sources with pulsar wind nebulae (3EG J1420-6038 has been suggested as PWN candidate previously), it also documents the ability of resolving apparently confused EGRET sources by connecting the GeV emission as measured from a large-aperture space-based gamma-ray instrument with narrow field-of-view but superior spatial resolution observations by ground-based atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, a very promising identification technique for achieving convincing individual source identifications in the era of GLAST-LAT.
APA:
Funk, S. (2007). Demystifying an unidentified EGRET source by VHE gamma-ray observations. Astrophysics and Space Science, 309(1-4), 203-207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-007-9461-4
MLA:
Funk, Stefan. "Demystifying an unidentified EGRET source by VHE gamma-ray observations." Astrophysics and Space Science 309.1-4 (2007): 203-207.
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