Back to Search Start Over

Locating very high energy gamma ray sources with arc minute accuracy

Authors :
Akerlof, C. W
Cawley, M. F
Chantell, M
Fegan, D. J
Harris, K
Hillas, A. M
Jennings, D. G
Lamb, R. C
Lawrence, M. A
Lang, M. J
Source :
NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center, The Compton Observatory Science Workshop.
Publication Year :
1992
Publisher :
United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 1992.

Abstract

The angular accuracy of gamma-ray detectors is intrinsically limited by the physical processes involved in photon detection. Although a number of point-like sources were detected by the COS-B satellite, only two were unambiguously identified by time signature with counterparts at longer wavelengths. By taking advantage of the extended longitudinal structure of Very High Energy gamma-ray showers, measurements in the TeV energy range can pinpoint source coordinates to arc minute accuracy. This was demonstrated using Cerenkov air shower imaging techniques. With two telescopes in coincidence, the individual event circular probable error will be 0.13 deg. The half-cone angle of the field of view is effectively 1 deg.

Subjects

Subjects :
Space Radiation

Details

Language :
English
Database :
NASA Technical Reports
Journal :
NASA. Goddard Space Flight Center, The Compton Observatory Science Workshop
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsnas.19920012685
Document Type :
Report