COMPTEL Observations of the 1.809 MeV Gamma-Ray Line from Galactic 26Al
Abstract
The COMPTEL experiment on the Compton Gamma-Ray Observatory (CGRO) has been demonstrated to be capable of imaging the Galaxy within its field of view of about 1 steradian in the 1.809 MeV gamma-ray line originating from radioactive Al-26. The combined data from the CGRO sky survey in 1991/1992 have been analyzed to provide a first map of the inner Galaxy in this gamma-ray line. The 1.809 MeV emission appears extended along the inner 70 deg of the Galactic plane, with a relatively sharp falloff outside this regime. Correlations with massive stars and supernova remnants as possible tracers of the candidate Al-26 sources are discussed.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series
- Pub Date:
- June 1994
- DOI:
- 10.1086/191990
- Bibcode:
- 1994ApJS...92..429D
- Keywords:
-
- Aluminum 26;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Massive Stars;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Radiation Distribution;
- Supernova Remnants;
- Gamma Ray Observatory;
- Nuclear Fusion;
- Wolf-Rayet Stars;
- Astronomy;
- GALAXY: STRUCTURE;
- GAMMA RAYS: OBSERVATIONS