Abstract
We report a possible detection of TeV gamma rays from the Galactic center by the Whipple 10 m gamma-ray telescope. Twenty-six hours of data were taken over an extended period from 1995 through 2003 resulting in a total significance of 3.7 sigma. The measured excess corresponds to an integral flux of 1.6 x 10(-8) +/- 0.5 x 10(-8) (stat) +/- 0.3 x 10(-8) (sys) photons m(-2) s(-1) above an energy of 2.8 TeV, roughly 40% of the flux from the Crab Nebula at this energy. The 95% confidence region has an angular extent of about 15' and includes the position of Sgr A*. The detection is consistent with a point source and shows no evidence of variability.
Published in:
Astrophysical Journal 608,2 (2004) L97-L100;
Keywords
dark matter;; galaxy : center;; galaxy : nucleus;; gamma rays : observations;; supermassive black-hole;; sagittarius-a-asterisk;; dark-matter halos;; milky-way;; annihilation;; emission;; direction;; spectra;; flare;; east
Date of Version
January 2004
Recommended Citation
Kosack, K.; Badran, H. M.; Bond, I. H.; Boyle, P. J.; Bradbury, S. M.; Buckley, J. H.; Carter-Lewis, D. A.; Celik, O.; Connaughton, V.; Cui, W.; Daniel, M.; D'Vall, M.; Perez, I. D. L.; Duke, C.; Falcone, A.; Fegan, D. J.; Fegan, S. J.; Finley, J. P.; Fortson, L. F.; Gaidos, J. A.; Gammell, S.; Gibbs, K.; Gillanders, G. H.; Grube, J.; Gutierrez, K.; Hall, J.; Hall, T. A.; Hanna, D.; Hillas, A. M.; Holder, J.; Horan, D.; Jarvis, A.; Jordan, M.; Kenny, G. E.; Kertzman, M.; Kieda, D.; Kildea, J.; Knapp, J.; Krawczynski, H.; Krennrich, F.; Lang, M. J.; Le Bohec, S.; Linton, E.; Lloyd-Evans, J.; Milovanovic, A.; McEnery, J.; Moriarty, R.; Muller, D.; Nagai, T.; Nolan, S.; Ong, R. A.; Pallassini, R.; Petry, D.; Power-Mooney, B.; Quinn, J.; Quinn, M.; Ragan, K.; Rebillot, P.; Reynolds, P. T.; Rose, H. J.; Schroedter, M.; Sembroski, G. H.; Swordy, S. P.; Syson, A.; Vassiliev, V. V.; Wakely, S. P.; Walker, G.; Weekes, T. C.; and Zweerink, J., "Tev Gamma-ray observations of the galactic center" (2004). Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications. Paper 376.
https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/physics_articles/376