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The relevance of molecular observations to gamma-ray astronomy

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Abstract

The interaction of cosmic rays with interstellar clouds may produce some of the observed gamma-ray sources. The use of molecular observations to estimate the cloud masses, which are used to derive cosmic-ray fluxes, is reviewed. Molecular diagnostics of high cosmic-ray ionization rates are discussed, and a detailed application of those diagnostics is summarised and presented as evidence that second-order Fermi acceleration is important in old supernova remnants and can produce cosmic rays of too low energy to induce gamma-ray emission.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, WC1E 6BT, London, England

    T. W. Hartquist

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  1. T. W. Hartquist
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Proceedings of the XVIII General Assembly of the IAU: Galactic Astrophysics and Gamma-Ray Astronomy, held at Patras, Greece, 19 August 1982.

Royal Society Jaffé Donation Fellow.

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Hartquist, T.W. The relevance of molecular observations to gamma-ray astronomy. Space Sci Rev 36, 41–49 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00171899

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