Abstract
The Supernova Remnant MSH 15-52 has been observed in very high energy (VHE) γ-rays using the HESS 4-telescope array located in Namibia. A γ-ray signal is detected at the 25 sigma level during an exposure of 22.1 h live time. The image reveals an elliptically shaped emission region around the pulsar PSR B1509-58, with semi-major axis ∼ 6′ in the NW-SE direction and semi-minor axis ∼ 2′. This morphology coincides with the diffuse pulsar wind nebula as observed at X-ray energies by ROSAT. The overall energy spectrum from 280 GeV up to 40TeV can be fitted by a power law with photon index Γ = 2.27 ±0.03stat ±0.20syst. The detected emission can be plausibly explained by inverse Compton scattering of accelerated relativistic electrons with soft photons.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | L17-L20 |
| Journal | Astronomy and Astrophysics |
| Volume | 435 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2005 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Gamma-rays: observations
- ISM: individual objects: G 320.4-1.2
- ISM: individual objects: PSR B1509-58
- ISM: supernova remnants
- Pulsar wind nebula