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Detection of high-energy gamma radiation from quasar 3C 279 by the EGRET telescope on the Compton Gamma Ray ObservatoryIntense gamma radiation has been observed from the direction of the quasar 3C 279 throughout the energy range from 30 MeV to over 5 GeV by the Energetic Gamma Ray Experiment Telescope (EGRET) during the period June 15-28, 1991. Its spectrum is well represented by a photon differential power-law exponent of 2.0 +/- 0.1, with a photon intensity above 100 MeV of (2.8 +/- 0.4) x 10 exp -6/sq cm s. For E is greater than 100 MeV, the 2-sigma upper limits were 1.0 x 10 exp -6/sq cm s in 1973 from the SAS 2 observations and 0.3 x 10 exp -6/sq cm s for the combined 1976, 1978, and 1980 COS B observations. Hence, there has been a large increase in high-energy gamma-ray intensity relative to the earlier times, as there has been in the radio, infrared, optical, and X-ray ranges. This source is the most distant and by far the most luminous gamma-ray source yet detected.
Document ID
19920038791
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Hartman, R. C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Bertsch, D. L.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Fichtel, C. E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Hunter, S. D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kwok, P. W.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Thompson, D. J.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Mattox, J. R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Computer Sciences Corp. Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kanbach, G.
(Max-Planck-Institut fuer Extraterrestrische Physik Garching, Federal Republic of Germany, United States)
Nel, H. I.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Sreekumar, P.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Universities Space Research Association, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 20, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Astrophysical Journal, Part 2 - Letters
Volume: 385
ISSN: 0004-637X
Subject Category
Space Radiation
Accession Number
92A21415
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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