EGRET Observations of the Diffuse Gamma Ray Emission from the Galactic Plane

Session 33 -- Gamma-Rays and Cosmic Rays
Display presentation, Tuesday, 9:30-6:30, Heller Lounge Room

[33.06] EGRET Observations of the Diffuse Gamma Ray Emission from the Galactic Plane

P.Sreekumar, B.L. Dingus (USRA/GSFC), D.L. Bertsch, C.E. Fichtel, R.C. Hartman, S.D. Hunter, D.J. Thompson (NASA/GSFC), G. Kanbach, H.A. Mayer-Hasselwander, C. von Montigny (MPI), Y.C. Lin, P.L. Nolan, P.F. Michelson, J.Chiang (Stanford), D.A. Kniffen (Hampden-Sydney), J.R. Mattox (CSC/GSFC), E.J. Schneid (Grumman)

The phase I all-sky survey in high energy gamma rays (E$>$30 MeV) carried out by EGRET aboard the Compton Observatory clearly shows the presence of diffuse gamma ray emission from the Galactic plane. This emission is generally believed to result from the interaction of cosmic rays with the interstellar medium and the interstellar radiation field. Since the interstellar medium is well observed via 21-cm line and CO observations, diffuse gamma ray observations can be used as a powerful tool to examine the nature and distribution of cosmic rays in the Galaxy. Results from the all-sky survey including the spatial distribution and energy spectra of emission along the Galactic plane will be presented. In addition, the data will be compared with a detailed model calculation of the expected diffuse emission which is currently used as a background model in carrying out point source analysis.

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