Detection of 511 keV positron annihilation radiation from the galactic center direction.
Abstract
A balloon-borne germanium gamma-ray telescope was flown over Alice Springs, Australia, in an attempt to detect spectral features from the galactic-center (GC) direction. A 511-keV positron annihilation line was detected at a flux level of 0.00122 + or - 0.00022 photon/s per sq cm. Suggestive evidence for the detection of the three-photon positronium continuum is presented. A brief discussion of the possible origin of the positrons is given.
- Publication:
-
The Astrophysical Journal
- Pub Date:
- October 1978
- DOI:
- 10.1086/182782
- Bibcode:
- 1978ApJ...225L..11L
- Keywords:
-
- Balloon Sounding;
- Galactic Radiation;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Milky Way Galaxy;
- Positron Annihilation;
- Balloon-Borne Instruments;
- Energy Spectra;
- Telescopes;
- Astronomy;
- Galactic Center:Gamma Rays