Proposal Details - 0720044
Broad view on high energy Galactic background: "Outer Galaxy - II" (Tsygankov)

Proposal Abstract

This proposal is a one of three accompanying proposals aimed on obtaining legacy-level observational datasets on the Milky Way Galactic disk. The ultimate goal of the entire project (which started in AO4 and which we plan to continue it in subsequent AOs) is to have model independent and systematics free measurements of the fluxes in nuclear lines (511 keV annihilation emission, 1.8 MeV 26Al and 1.17 MeV and 1.33 MeV 60Fe lines) and a broad band spectrum of the Galactic background emission, which at different energies is provided either by cumulative emission of faint Galactic source or by interaction of low energy cosmic rays with interstellar medium. Our strategy was supported by INTEGRAL TACs during previous AOs and now we propose to continue the coverage of the Galactic disk with scanning observations. Taking into account the unique combination of properties of INTEGRAL instruments - broad band coverage, large fields of view and possibilities to eliminate the contribution of descrete sources from the total measured photon flux, the proposed strategy is the best possible usage of the valuable INTEGRAL time. In this proposal we ask for 1.5 Msec observations of outer galactic region at l=215 deg which will be complimentary to the already performed observations of the inner Galaxy at l~40, 22.5 and -45 deg. This is one of the two underexposed regions of the Galaxy. Here we were driven largely by the "INTEGRAL Legasy" consideration. It is important that the whole galactic plane is mapped with INTEGRAL. With these observations we will continue the mapping of the GRXE, namely put upper limits to hard X-ray emission generating by accreting White Dwarfs in the Galaxy. It is possible that gamma-ray continuum emission of the Galactic disk will not be detected at such large distances from the Galactic Center, however, any measurement of the Galactic emission will be useful for constraining the models of the cosmic ray induced emission of the Galaxy.

Observation Strategy (Recommended by TAC)

Total of 1 Ms consisting of rapid latitude scans across the Galactic plane (l=215) between latitude -30 and +30, using a 2 degree step size and pointing duration of 2000 seconds

Proposal grade: A

Data Rights (Recommended by TAC)

The TAC has allocated the following specific data rights to this proposal: study of the galactic diffuse continuum emission and of the following gamma-ray lines in the Galactic disk: positron/electron annihilation line emission (511 keV); 1.8 MeV line from 26Al; and 1.17 and 1.33 MeV 60Fe lines.

Consult the Data Rights policy for more information on Russian Federation proposals.

Exposure Map

The exposure maps are in galactic coordinates and units of ksec, and the colour scale is indicated at the bottom. The green lines provide the 100 ksec contour.