Astronomy Seminar: Revealing the Gamma Cygni Supernova Remnant: Which are the gamma-rays and which cosmic rays?

Astronomy Seminar: Revealing the Gamma Cygni Supernova Remnant: Which are the gamma-rays and which cosmic rays?

Oct 16, 2020 - 4:25 PM
to Oct 16, 2020 - 5:25 PM

Alisha Chromey, Iowa State


Gamma-Cygni (SNR G78.2+2.1) is a middle aged shell-like supernova remnant 1 degree across, located in Cygnus. As a Sedov-phase remnant, gamma-Cygni's shockwaves play an integral role in accelerating the observed local abundance of cosmic rays. The production of cosmic rays with energy greater than 1GeV is a question under investigation by the high energy astrophysics community. Supernova remnants are hypothesized to be responsible for a significant portion of the highest energy galactic-produced cosmic rays. Observations by gamma-ray telescopes can reveal the production mechanism and species of produced cosmic-rays. Combined studies of gamma-Cygni across multiple gamma-ray instruments reveal surprising complexity. This talk will pull together the most recent results, including the speaker's own research, to paint a picture of emission processes across the gamma-Cygni supernova remnant.