The X- and gamma-ray backgrounds

Conference · Tue Dec 29 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6598756

Fabian, A C

The spectrum of the extragalactic X-ray and gamma-ray backgrounds, originating in a redshift of about 3.0, provides a measurement of the integrated X- and gamma-ray evolution of known sources such as clusters of galaxies, active galaxies, and quasars. It also limits possible new classes of sources, such as accreting black holes and a hot intergalactic medium. Attention is given to the contribution to the X- and gamma-ray backgrounds of known evolved and unevolved sources, as well as the character of small scale and large scale fluctuations in the X-ray background. Speculations as to the origin of the X- and gamma-ray background include such possibilities as the inverse Compton scattering of microwave background photons by intergalactic cosmic-ray electrons, accretion of the intergalactic medium onto pregalactic black holes, and matter-antimatter annihilation in a baryon-symmetric universe.

• Research Organization: Cambridge University, Cambridge, England
• OSTI ID: 6598756
• Report Number(s): CONF-801250-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci.; (United States) Journal Volume: 375
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640106* -- Astrophysics & Cosmology-- Cosmology
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ASTRONOMY
BACKGROUND RADIATION
BASIC INTERACTIONS
BLACK HOLES
COMPTON EFFECT
COSMIC RADIO SOURCES
ELASTIC SCATTERING
ELECTROMAGNETIC INTERACTIONS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
GALAXY CLUSTERS
GAMMA ASTRONOMY
INTERACTIONS
INVERSE SCATTERING PROBLEM
IONIZING RADIATIONS
QUASARS
RADIATIONS
RED SHIFT
SCATTERING
X RADIATION