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Signatures of Energetic Protons and Electrons in the Galaxy

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Abstract

Models of the cosmic-ray, γ-ray and synchrotron properties of the Galaxy allow conclusions to be drawn about the cosmic-ray injection spectrum and propagation parameters. While the simplest models fail to reproduce the data, reasonable extensions can explain a range of observational facts. Explanations for the diffuse γ-ray GeV excess found by EGRET are considered; inverse-Compton emission resulting from a hard electron injection spectrum appears most promising. Meanwhile the γ-ray emission at MeV energies is unlikely to originate entirely from cosmic-ray electrons, and a point source component is required in addition.

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Strong, A. Signatures of Energetic Protons and Electrons in the Galaxy. Space Science Reviews 99, 167–176 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013840914456

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013840914456

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