TeV gamma rays from Geminga and the origin of the GeV positron excess.
The Geminga pulsar has long been one of the most intriguing MeV-GeV gamma-ray point sources. We examine the implications of the recent Milagro gamma-ray Observatory detection of extended, multi-TeV gamma-ray emission from Geminga, finding that this reveals the existence of an ancient, powerful cosmic-ray accelerator that can plausibly account for the multi-GeV positron excess that has evaded explanation. We explore a number of testable predictions for gamma-ray and electron or positron experiments (up to approximately 100 TeV) that can confirm the first "direct" detection of a cosmic-ray source.
Bartol Research Institute and Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Delaware, Newark, Delaware 19716, USA.
Hasan
H
Yüksel
Matthew D
MD
Kistler
Todor
T
Stanev