The Spectrum of the Crab Nebula and Highest Energy Photons Measured by HAWC
HAWC has developed new energy algorithms using an artificial neural network for event-by-event reconstruction of Very High Energy (VHE) primary gamma ray energies. Unlike previous estimation methods for HAWC photons, these estimate photon energies with good energy precision and accuracy in a range from 1 TeV to greater than 100 TeV. Photon emission at the highest energies is of interest in understanding acceleration mechanisms of astrophysical sources and where the acceleration might cut off. We apply the new HAWC reconstruction to present the preliminary measurement of the highest energies at which photons are emitted by the Crab Nebula and by six additional sources in the galactic plane which emit above 50 TeV. We have observed photons above 200 TeV at 95% confidence. We also compare fits to the HAWC Crab spectrum with other measurements and theoretical models of the Crab spectrum.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), High Energy Physics (HEP); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
- Contributing Organization:
- HAWC Collaboration
- Grant/Contract Number:
- 89233218CNA000001
- OSTI ID:
- 1804381
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-21-22666; TRN: US2212282
- Journal Information:
- PoS - Proceedings of Science, Vol. 358; Conference: 36.International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2019) , Madison, WI (United States), 24 Jul - 1 Aug 2019; ISSN 1824-8039
- Publisher:
- SISSACopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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