Observations of gamma radiation between 0. 4 MeV and 7 MeV at balloon altitudes using a Compton telescope

Journal Article · Tue Sep 15 00:00:00 EDT 1981 · Astrophys. J.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/159248· OSTI ID:5722960

Lockwood, J A; Webber, W R; Friling, L A; Macri, J; Hsieh, L

Results are presented from a balloon flight at Palestine, Texas, in 1978 to measure the atmospheric and diffuse ..gamma..-ray flux in the energy range 0.4--7.0 MeV. The observations were made with a Compton telescope which included pulse-shape discrimination of the first scattering detector and a time-of-flight system between the first and second detector elements. The total downward ..gamma..-ray flux at 3.7 g cm/sup -2/ is given by the spectrum 3.1 x 10/sup -2/ x E/sup -1.74/ (photons cm/sup -2/ s/sup -1/ MeV/sup -1/ sr/sup -1/) for 0.5<7.0 MeV. The diffuse flux is given by the spectrum (1.5 +- 0.5) x 10/sup -2/ E/sup -1.76/ (photons cm/sup -2/ s/sup -1/ MeV/sup -1/ sr/sup -1/) for 0.4 MeV<7 MeV. Comparisons of the diffuse cosmic ..gamma..-ray flux to the atmospheric ..gamma..-rays indicate that 0.2 MeV<5 MeV is the optimum energy range for measurements made at the top of the Earth's atmosphere. These results are discussed and compared to other observations.

• Research Organization: Space Science Center, Physics Department, University of New Hampshire
• OSTI ID: 5722960
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J.; (United States), Vol. 248:3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COSMIC PHOTONS
GAMMA SPECTRA
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
GAMMA RADIATION
RADIATION FLUX
SPACE
TELESCOPES
COSMIC RADIATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
PHOTONS
RADIATIONS
SPECTRA
640101* - Astrophysics &amp; Cosmology- Cosmic Radiation