Abramowski A, Aharonian F, Benkhali FA, Akhperjanian AG, Anguener EO, Backes M, Balzer A, Becherini Y, Tjus JB, Berge D, Bernhard S, Bernloehr K, Birsin E, Blackwell R, Boettcher M, Boisson C, Bolmont J, Bordas P, Bregeon J, Brun F, Brun P, Bryan M, Bulik T, Carr J, Casanova S, Chakraborty N, Chalme-Calvet R, Chaves RCG, Chen A, Chretien M, Colafrancesco S, Cologna G, Conrad J, Couturier C, Cui Y, Davids ID, Degrange B, Deil C, Dewilt P, Djannati-Ata A, Domainko W, Donath A, Drury LO, Dubus G, Dutson K, Dyks J, Dyrda M, Edwards T, Egberts K, Eger P, Ernenwein JP, Espigat P, Farnier C, Fegan S, Feinstein F, Fernandes MV, Fernandez D, Fiasson A, Fontaine G, Foerster A, Fuessling M, Gabici S, Gajdus M, Gallant YA, Garrigoux T, Giavitto G, Giebels B, Glicenstein JF, Gottschall D, Goyal A, Grondin MH, Grudzinska M, Hadasch D, Häffner S, Hahn J, Hawkes J, Heinzelmann G, Henri G, Hermann G, Hervet O, Hillert A, Hinton JA, Hofmann W, Hofverberg P, Hoischen C, Holler M, Horns D, Ivascenko A, Jacholkowska A, Jamrozy M, Janiak M, Jankowsky F, Jung-Richardt I, Kastendieck MA, Katarzynski K, Katz U, Kerszberg D, Khelifi B, Kieffer M, Klepser S, Klochkov D, Kluzniak W, Kolitzus D, Komin N, Kosack K, Krakau S, Krayzel F, Krueger PP, Laffon H, Lamanna G, Lau J, Lefaucheur J, Lefranc V, Lemiere A, Lemoine-Goumard M, Lenain JP, Lohse T, Lopatin A, Lu CC, Lui R, Marandon V, Marcowith A, Mariaud C, Marx R, Maurin G, Maxted N, Mayer M, Meintjes PJ, Menzler U, Meyer M, Mitchell AMW, Moderski R, Mohamed M, Mora K, Moulin E, Murach T, De Naurois M, Niemiec J, Oakes L, Odaka H, Oettl S, Ohm S, Opitz B, Ostrowski M, Oya I, Panter M, Parsons RD, Arribas MP, Pekeur NW, Pelletier G, Petrucci PO, Peyaud B, Pita S, Poon H, Prokoph H, Puehlhofer G, Punch M, Quirrenbach A, Raab S, Reichardt I, Reimer A, Reimer O, Renaud M, De Los Reyes R, Rieger F, Romoli C, Rosier-Lees S, Rowell G, Rudak B, Rulten CB, Sahakian V, Salek D, Sanchez DA, Santangelo A, Sasaki M, Schlickeiser R, Schuessler F, Schulz A, Schwanke U, Schwemmer S, Seyffert AS, Simoni R, Sol H, Spanier F, Spengler G, Spies F, Stawarz L, Steenkamp R, Stegmann C, Stinzing F, Stycz K, Sushch I, Tavernet JP, Tavernier T, Taylor AM, Terrier R, Tluczykont M, Trichard C, Tuffs R, Valerius K, Van Der Walt J, van Eldik C, Van Soelen B, Vasileiadis G, Veh J, Venter C, Viana A, Vincent P, Vink J, Voisin F, Voelk HJ, Vuillaume T, Wagner SJ, Wagner P, Wagner RM, Weidinger M, Weitzel Q, White R, Wierzcholska A, Willmann P, Wörnlein A, Wouters D, Yang R, Zabalza V, Zaborov D, Zacharias M, Zdziarski AA, Zech A, Zefi F, Zywucka N (2016)
Publication Language: English
Publication Status: Published
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2016
Publisher: NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP
Book Volume: 531
Pages Range: 476-+
Journal Issue: 7595
DOI: 10.1038/nature17147
Galactic cosmic rays reach energies of at least a few petaelectronvolts(1) (of the order of 1015 electronvolts). This implies that our Galaxy contains petaelectronvolt accelerators ('PeVatrons'), but all proposed models of Galactic cosmic-ray accelerators encounter difficulties at exactly these energies(2). Dozens of Galactic accelerators capable of accelerating particles to energies of tens of teraelectronvolts (of the order of 10(13) electronvolts) were inferred from recent gamma-ray observations(3). However, none of the currently known accelerators-not even the handful of shell-type supernova remnants commonly believed to supply most Galactic cosmic rays-has shown the characteristic tracers of petaelectronvolt particles, namely, power-law spectra of.-rays extending without a cut-off or a spectral break to tens of teraelectronvolts(4). Here we report deep.-ray observations with arcminute angular resolution of the region surrounding the Galactic Centre, which show the expected tracer of the presence of petaelectronvolt protons within the central 10 parsecs of the Galaxy. We propose that the supermassive black hole Sagittarius A* is linked to this PeVatron. Sagittarius A* went through active phases in the past, as demonstrated by X-ray outbursts(5) and an outflow from the Galactic Centre(6). Although its current rate of particle acceleration is not sufficient to provide a substantial contribution to Galactic cosmic rays, Sagittarius A* could have plausibly been more active over the last 10(6)-10(7) years, and therefore should be considered as a viable alternative to supernova remnants as a source of petaelectronvolt Galactic cosmic rays.
APA:
Abramowski, A., Aharonian, F., Benkhali, F.A., Akhperjanian, A.G., Anguener, E.O., Backes, M.,... Zywucka, N. (2016). Acceleration of petaelectronvolt protons in the Galactic Centre. Nature, 531(7595), 476-+. https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nature17147
MLA:
Abramowski, A., et al. "Acceleration of petaelectronvolt protons in the Galactic Centre." Nature 531.7595 (2016): 476-+.
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