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Cosmic γ rays and the mass of gas in the Galaxy

Nature volume 314, pages 511–515 (1985)Cite this article

Abstract

We make the case that the cosmic-ray particles that produce cosmic γ-rays in the 100-MeV region can penetrate most of the dense clouds of gas that seem to contain much of the mass of gas in the Galaxy. We determine a probable form for cosmic-ray intensity as a function of Galactic position and use the measured γ-ray intensities to derive the surface density of gas as a function of position. Our estimate of ˜6 × 108 M⊙ for the total mass of molecular hydrogen compared with 1 × 109 M⊙ for atomic hydrogen in the inner Galaxy is a significant change in the contemporary perspective.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, University of Durham, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK

    Chaman L. Bhat, Mohamed R. Issa, Brian P. Houston, Chris J. Mayer & Arnold W. Wolfendale

  2. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Nuclear Research Laboratory, Srinagar, 190006, Kashmir, India

    Chaman L. Bhat

  3. Physics Department, Qata University, Doha, Qatar

    Mohamed R. Issa

Authors
  1. Chaman L. Bhat
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  2. Mohamed R. Issa
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  3. Brian P. Houston
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  4. Chris J. Mayer
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  5. Arnold W. Wolfendale
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Bhat, C., Issa, M., Houston, B. et al. Cosmic γ rays and the mass of gas in the Galaxy. Nature 314, 511–515 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1038/314511a0

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