Dortmund 2006 – scientific programme

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T: Teilchenphysik

T 306: Kosmische Strahlung II

T 306.4: Talk

Tuesday, March 28, 2006, 17:25–17:40, HG2-HS3

Observations of extragalactic sources with H.E.S.S. - beyond AGN — •Dalibor Nedbal — Max Planck fuer Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, D-69117 Heidelberg

Recently several observations of very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from non-AGN extragalactic sources have been performed by the H.E.S.S. experiment. Its exceptional sensitivity allows studies of potential very weak sources in the energy range above 100 GeV such as starburst galaxies and ultraluminous infrared galaxies (ULIRGs). Here we present the results of H.E.S.S. observations of a starburst galaxy (NGC 253) and an ULIRG (Arp 220). Both of these objects have been predicted to produce gamma rays. High star formation in starburst galaxies like NGC 253 causes a high supernovae explosion rate. Cosmic rays accelerated in the supernova remnants may produce gamma rays in reactions on target material in the starburst region. The second source, ULIRG Arp 220, is currently thought to be a galaxy merger in which the gas falling into the common centre creates a starburst region, again potentially producing VHE gamma rays.