Abstract
The Crab Nebula was observed in TeV gamma rays with the Whipple Observatory high-resolution atmospheric Cherenkov camera and a signal was detected at the 20 σ level. The energy spectrum derived has the form N(E) × dE = 2.5 × 10-10 (E/0.4 TeV)-2.4±0.3 photons cm-2 s-1 TeV-1 between 0.4 and 4 TeV. There is no evidence for the pulsar periodicity, and the flux is steady on a monthly time scale. If this signal is used to optimize the technique for gamma-ray detection, then a flux one-tenth that of the Crab can be detected at the 3 σ level in 60 hr of integration time. For an on-axis source the angular resolution is shown to be ±0°1.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 467-479 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Astrophysical Journal |
Volume | 377 |
Issue number | 2 PART 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 20 Aug 1991 |
Keywords
- Gamma rays: general
- Nebulae: Crab Nebula
- Pulsars
- Radiation mechanisms