Weekes, T.C. and Cawley, Michael F. and Fegan, D.J. and Gibbs, K.G. and Hillas, A.M. and Kowk, P.W. and Lamb, R.C. and Lewis, D.A. and Macomb, D.J. and Porter, N.A. and Reynolds, P.T. and Vacanti, G.
(1989)
Observation of TeV Gamma-rays from the Crab Nebula using the Atmospheric Cherenkov Imaging Technique.
Astrophysical Journal, 342.
pp. 379-395.
ISSN 0004-637X
Abstract
The Whipple Observatory 10-m reflector, operating as a 37-pixel camera, has been used to observe the Crab Nebula in TeV gamma rays. By selecting gamma-ray images based on their predicted properties, more than 98 percent of the background is rejected; a detection is reported at the 9.0-sigma level, corresponding to a flux of 1.8 x 10 to the -11th photons sq cm/s above 0.7 TeV (with a factor of 1.5 uncertainty in both flux and energy). Less than 25 percent of the observed flux is pulsed at the period of PSR 0531. There is no evidence for variability on time scales from months to years. Although continuum emission from the pulsar cannot be ruled out, it seems more likely that the observed flux comes from the hard Compton synchrotron spectrum of the nebula.
| Item Type: |
Article
|
| Keywords: |
Cerenkov Counters; Crab Nebula; Gamma Ray Astronomy; Imaging Techniques; Pulsars; Azimuth; Electron Energy; Image Processing; Monte Carlo Method; Periodic Variations; Reflectors; Spectral Energy Distribution; Astrophysics;
Gamma Rays: General; Nebulae: Crab Nebula; Pulsars;
Radiation Mechanics; |
| Academic Unit: |
Faculty of Science and Engineering > Experimental Physics |
| Item ID: |
12618 |
| Identification Number: |
https://doi.org/10.1086/167599 |
| Depositing User: |
Dr. Michael Cawley
|
| Date Deposited: |
26 Mar 2020 15:49 |
| Journal or Publication Title: |
Astrophysical Journal |
| Publisher: |
American Astronomical Society |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| URI: |
|
| Use Licence: |
This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available
here |
Repository Staff Only(login required)
 |
Item control page |
Downloads per month over past year
Origin of downloads
Altmetric
Altmetric