The $^{26}$Al Gamma-ray Line from Massive-Star Regions

TL;DR

This paper reports the detection of gamma rays from the decay of radioactive aluminum-26 in the Orion star-forming region, providing insights into massive-star nucleosynthesis and testing related astrophysical models.

Contribution

First detection of $^{26}$Al gamma rays from Orion using INTEGRAL/SPI, advancing understanding of radioactive isotope distribution in star-forming regions.

Findings

Detection of $^{26}$Al gamma rays from Orion at 450 pc

Supports models of massive-star nucleosynthesis

Provides constraints on stellar population and nucleosynthesis processes

Abstract

The measurement of gamma rays from the diffuse afterglow of radioactivity originating in massive-star nucleosynthesis is considered a laboratory for testing models, when specific stellar groups are investigated, at known distance and with well-constrained stellar population. Regions which have been exploited for such studies include Cygnus, Carina, Orion, and Scorpius-Centaurus. The Orion region hosts the Orion OB1 association and its subgroups at about 450~pc distance. We report the detection of $^{26}$Al gamma rays from this region with INTEGRAL/SPI.