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Greisen, K.

Publications and source records attributed to Greisen, K..

High-energy gamma-ray astronomy

The subject of gamma-ray astronomy is discussed with emphasis on celestial gamma rays with energies in excess of 10 MeV. Early observations of such gamma rays are reviewed, a gamma-ray spark-chamber telescope is described together with a gas Cerenkov-counter telescope, and the gamma-ray sky is delineated. It is shown that the diffuse high-energy gamma radiation from the galactic plane probably results primarily from cosmic-ray interactions with interstellar matter. Mechanisms for gamma-ray production are identified, and it is noted that the general galactic radiation may prove to be of great value in studies of galactic structure. Possible sources are considered for the diffuse celestial radiation, and discrete sources are described, including the Crab pulsar, the Vela remnant, the Cygnus region, and Gould's Belt. Future developments in gamma-ray astronomy are considered.

Fichtel, C.↗

Change in the high-energy radiation from the Crab

On 1973 July 23, the Cornell gamma-ray telescope had a second exposure to the Crab Nebula and pulsar via balloon flight from Palestine, Texas. On the previous flight, 1971 October 6, the signal from the pulsar had been unmistakably clear, especially at the highest energies (above 800 MeV), and an unpulsed component of similar average power had also been discernible. On the second flight, despite higher altitude, longer exposure, and improved electronics, the pulsed signal was barely detectable and the dc component not observable at all. The drop in intensity seems to increase with energy, being only a factor of 2 at 200 MeV but an order of magnitude at 1 GeV. There is some indication (not compelling) that the gamma-ray flux may have changed even within the 6-hour exposure. The first flight may have viewed the Crab in a state of enhanced high-energy emission correlated with the glitches that occurred on 1971 August 1 and October 25.

Greisen, K.↗

Upper limits of hard gamma-ray emission from six X-ray sources

The Cornell 100-inch gamma-ray telescope has been used to set upper limits for the gamma-ray flux above 400 MeV from the X-ray sources Cyg X-1, Cyg X-2, Cyg X-3, Cas A, Cas B, and Per X-1. An upper limit for the diffuse flux of the galactic disk was set which is consistent with OSO-3 and SAS-2 data. A new measurement of the atmospheric gamma-ray generation rate is presented.

Campbell, M.↗

Pulsed high-energy gamma rays from the Crab Nebula.

Review of recorded data on the pulsed radiation detected by the Cornell 100-inch gas-Cerenkov gamma-ray telescope within 1 degree of the Crab Nebula in direction, at hundreds of MeV up to more than 1 GeV, coincident in time with optical pulses from NP 0532. A main pulse and a secondary pulse are shown to contain about an equal number of events and display evidence of being narrower than at lower energies. There is weak evidence for further pulse structure in the interval between these two peaks, and also for an unmodulated gamma-ray component about equal to the time-averaged pulsed flux.

Mcbreen, B.↗