Gamma-Ray Observations of the Crab Nebula at TeV Energies
Abstract
A new series of observation of the Crab Nebula in TeV gamma rays using an improved camera on the Whipple Observatory 10 m Optical Reflector is reported. The smaller pixel size results in a lower energy threshold for gamma-ray detection than that reported in WEA89. The improvement in SNR compared with the original camera (Cawley et al., 1990) is a factor of three to four. The results reported here confirm all the salient features of the detection reported in WEA89, and the significantly deeper detection now permits the energy spectrum to be derived. It is also possible to optimize the detection technique so that sources whose intensity is one-tenth that of the Crab can be detected in 60 hrs of observation.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- August 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1086/170376
- Bibcode:
- 1991ApJ...377..467V
- Keywords:
-
- Crab Nebula;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Gamma Rays;
- Pulsars;
- Signal Detection;
- Cameras;
- Cerenkov Counters;
- Energy Spectra;
- High Resolution;
- Astrophysics;
- GAMMA RAYS: GENERAL;
- NEBULAE: CRAB NEBULA;
- PULSARS;
- RADIATION MECHANISMS