The Diffuse Galactic Gamma-Ray Emission Model for GLAST LAT

TL;DR

This paper presents a new model for the diffuse gamma-ray emission from the Milky Way, crucial for interpreting observations from the GLAST telescope and understanding cosmic-ray interactions.

Contribution

It introduces an updated Galactic diffuse emission model tailored for GLAST LAT data analysis, incorporating recent insights into cosmic-ray interactions.

Findings

Enhanced accuracy in diffuse emission modeling

Improved separation of point sources from diffuse background

Better constraints on cosmic-ray spectra in the Galaxy

Abstract

Diffuse emission from the Milky Way dominates the gamma-ray sky. About 80% of the high-energy luminosity of the Milky Way comes from processes in the interstellar medium. The Galactic diffuse emission traces interactions of energetic particles, primarily protons and electrons, with the interstellar gas and radiation field, thus delivering information about cosmic-ray spectra and interstellar mass in distant locations. Additionally, the Galactic diffuse emission is the celestial foreground for the study of gamma-ray point sources and the extragalactic diffuse gamma-ray emission. We report on the latest developments in the modelling of the Galactic diffuse emission, which will be used for the Gamma Ray Large Area Space Telescope (GLAST) investigations.