562 research outputs found
Constraints on Gamma-ray Emission from the Galactic Plane at 300 TeV
We describe a new search for diffuse ultrahigh energy gamma-ray emission
associated with molecular clouds in the galactic disk. The Chicago Air Shower
Array (CASA), operating in coincidence with the Michigan muon array (MIA), has
recorded over 2.2 x 10^{9} air showers from April 4, 1990 to October 7, 1995.
We search for gamma rays based upon the muon content of air showers arriving
from the direction of the galactic plane. We find no significant evidence for
diffuse gamma-ray emission, and we set an upper limit on the ratio of gamma
rays to normal hadronic cosmic rays at less than 2.4 x 10^{-5} at 310 TeV (90%
confidence limit) from the galactic plane region: (50 degrees < l < 200
degrees); -5 degrees < b < 5 degrees). This limit places a strong constraint on
models for emission from molecular clouds in the galaxy. We rule out
significant spectral hardening in the outer galaxy, and conclude that emission
from the plane at these energies is likely to be dominated by the decay of
neutral pions resulting from cosmic rays interactions with passive target gas
molecules.Comment: Astrophysical Journal, submitted, 11 pages, AASTeX Latex, 3
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Very high-energy observations of the two high-frequency peaked BL Lac objects 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428
We present results of very-high-energy gamma-ray observations (E > 160 GeV)
of two high-frequency-peaked BL Lac (HBL) objects, 1ES 1218+304 and H 1426+428,
with the Solar Tower Atmospheric Cherenkov Effect Experiment (STACEE). Both
sources are very-high-energy gamma-ray emitters above 100 GeV, detected using
ground-based Cherenkov telescopes. STACEE observations of 1ES 1218+304 and H
1426+428 did not produce detections; we present 99% CL flux upper limits for
both sources, assuming spectral indices measured mostly at higher energies
Measurement of the Cosmic Ray Energy Spectrum and Composition from 10^{17} to 10^{18.3} eV Using a Hybrid Fluorescence Technique
We study the spectrum and average mass composition of cosmic rays with
primary energies between 10^{17} eV and 10^{18} eV using a hybrid detector
consisting of the High Resolution Fly's Eye (HiRes) prototype and the MIA muon
array. Measurements have been made of the change in the depth of shower maximum
as a function of energy. A complete Monte Carlo simulation of the detector
response and comparisons with shower simulations leads to the conclusion that
the cosmic ray intensity is changing f rom a heavier to a lighter composition
in this energy range. The spectrum is consistent with earlier Fly's Eye
measurements and supports the previously found steepening near 4 \times 10^{17}
eV .Comment: 39 pages, 15 figures, in revtex4 epsf style, submited to AP
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