VHE gamma-ray Emitting Pulsar Wind Nebulae Discovered by H.E.S.S.

Conference · Thu Jun 05 04:00:00 EDT 2008 · AIP Conf.Proc.983:195-199,2008

OSTI ID:929287

Gallant, Y A; Carrigan, S; Djannati-Atai, A; Funk, S; Hinton, J A; Hoppe, S; de Jager, O C; Khelifi, B; Komin, Nu; Kosack, K; Masterson, C

Recent advances in very-high-energy (VHE) gamma-ray astronomy have opened a new observational window on the physics of pulsars. The high sensitivity of current imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes, and in particular of the H.E.S.S. array, has already led to the discovery of about a dozen VHE-emitting pulsar wind nebulae (PWNe) and PWN candidates. These include the plerions in the composite supernova remnants MSH 15-52, G21.5-0.9, Kes 75, and Vela, two sources in the Kookaburra, and the nebula of PSR B1823-13. This VHE emission is generally interpreted as inverse Compton emission from the relativistic electrons and positrons accelerated by the pulsar and its wind; as such, it can yield a more direct spatial and spectral view of the accelerated particles than can be inferred from observations of their synchrotron emission. The VHE-emitting PWNe detected by the H.E.S.S. telescopes are reviewed and the implications for pulsar physics discussed.

• Research Organization: Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76SF00515
• OSTI ID: 929287
• Report Number(s): SLAC-PUB-13255
• Conference Information: Journal Name: AIP Conf.Proc.983:195-199,2008
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

43 PARTICLE ACCELERATORS
ASTRONOMY
Astrophysics
ASTRO
ELECTRONS
NEBULAE
PHYSICS
POSITRONS
PULSARS
SENSITIVITY
SUPERNOVA REMNANTS
SYNCHROTRONS
TELESCOPES