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Title: Observation of the Galactic Center PeVatron beyond 100 TeV with HAWC
Abstract We report an observation of ultrahigh-energy (UHE) gamma rays from the Galactic center (GC) region, using 7 yr of data collected by the High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory. The HAWC data are best described as a point-like source (HAWC J1746-2856) with a power-law spectrum ( d N / d E = ϕ E / 26 TeV γ ), whereγ= −2.88 ± 0.15stat− 0.1sysandϕ= 1.5 × 10−15(TeV cm2s)−1 ± 0.3 stat 0.13 sys + 0.08 sys extending from 6 to 114 TeV. We find no evidence of a spectral cutoff up to 100 TeV using HAWC data. Two known point-like gamma-ray sources are spatially coincident with the HAWC gamma-ray excess: Sgr A* (HESS J1745-290) and the Arc (HESS J1746-285). We subtract the known flux contribution of these point sources from the measured flux of HAWC J1746-2856 to exclude their contamination and show that the excess observed by HAWC remains significant (>5σ), with the spectrum extending to >100 TeV. Our result supports that these detected UHE gamma rays can originate via hadronic interaction of PeV cosmic-ray protons with the dense ambient gas and confirms the presence of a proton PeVatron at the GC.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
1914549 1806408 1912708 2310104 2209103 2110809 2200857 2411860 2209419 2209533
PAR ID:
10552328
Author(s) / Creator(s):
; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; more » ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; « less
Publisher / Repository:
American Astronomical Society
Date Published:
Journal Name:
The Astrophysical Journal Letters
Volume:
973
Issue:
1
ISSN:
2041-8205
Page Range / eLocation ID:
L34
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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