Gamma-ray emission from black holesStrong continuum gamma-ray emission at about 1 MeV possibly correlated with a narrow annihilation line at 511 keV has been observed from both Cygnus X-1 and the Galactic center. Such correlated emission has been interpreted as a unique gamma-ray signature for theoretically predicted relativistic, positron-electron pair-dominated plasma in regions surrounding the black holes. In this paper, the Cygnus X-1 results, which have provided important new insights about the source, are reviewed. Cygnus X-1 may be considered a canonical reference stellar black hole whose spectral and temporal characteristics can be used for comparison with those of other black-hole candidates including the Galactic center and AGN.
Document ID
19920061036
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Ling, James C. (JPL, Pasadena, CA; NASA, Washington DC, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1991
Subject Category
Astrophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Gamma-Ray Line Astrophysics