On the Evidence for High Energy γ -ray Emission from the Orion Nebula Stemming from COS-B Observations

Caraveo, P. A.

Italy

Abstract

The E.S.A. COS-B satellite performed a one-month observation pointing in the direction of M42 in Orion, during July-August 1978. An excess of high energy (above 100 MeV) photons is seen in the data, well coinciding with the Orion cloud complex. Features of such an excess are discussed, such as flux value, spectral shape and possible spatial extension of the emission. Brief astrophysical implications are then derived for the physical association of the excess with the Nebula.

1981 Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series A
COS-B 5