The very-high-energy gamma-ray view of the Galactic Centre as of early 2010

TL;DR

This paper reviews the early 2010 VHE gamma-ray observations of the Galactic Centre by H.E.S.S., highlighting point sources, diffuse emission, and implications for energetic particle acceleration near the SMBH.

Contribution

It provides the most precise VHE gamma-ray data of the Galactic Centre region as of early 2010, including the discovery of diffuse emission and source counterparts.

Findings

Detection of point-like source coincident with Sgr A*

Discovery of diffuse VHE gamma-ray emission around the centre

Insights into particle acceleration and propagation near the SMBH

Abstract

Progress in the Imaging Atmospheric Cherenkov Technique has enabled first sensitive observations of the innermost few 100 pc of the Milky Way in Very High Energy (VHE; >100 GeV) gamma rays. Observations by the H.E.S.S. instrument deliver the at date most precise data on this peculiar region, and provide an interesting view onto the acceleration and propagation of energetic particles near the Galactic Centre. Besides two point-like sources -- one coincident with the supermassive black hole (SMBH) Sgr A* -- diffuse VHE emission has been discovered within a 1 deg region around the centre. The current VHE gamma-ray view of the region is reviewed, and possible counterparts of the gamma-ray sources and the origin of the diffuse emission are discussed.