Multiple emission components in the Cygnus cocoon detected from Fermi-LAT observations

TL;DR

This study uses 13 years of Fermi-LAT data to identify and characterize multiple gamma-ray emission components in the Cygnus cocoon, revealing complex diffusion and interaction processes of cosmic rays in the region.

Contribution

It provides an improved spectro-morphological model of the Cygnus cocoon, identifying two main emission components with distinct spectra and spatial profiles, and proposes a diffusion-loss framework for their origin.

Findings

Two main emission components with different spectra identified.

A diffusion-loss model can explain the spatial and spectral features.

Both hadronic and leptonic scenarios are viable for particle origin.

Abstract

Star-forming regions may play an important role in the life cycle of Galactic cosmic rays. Gamma-ray observations of Cygnus X have revealed the presence of an excess of hard-spectrum gamma-ray emission, possibly related to a cocoon of freshly accelerated particles. Based on ~13 years of observations with the Fermi-Large Area Telescope (LAT), we performed an improved spectro-morphological characterisation of the residual emission including the cocoon. The best-fit model for the cocoon includes two main emission components: an extended component FCES G78.74+1.56, described by a 2D Gaussian of extension $r_{68} = 4.4^\circ \pm 0.1^\circ\,^{+0.1^\circ}_{-0.1^\circ}$, and a central component FCES G80.00+0.50, traced by the distribution of ionised gas within the borders of the photo-dissociation regions. The two have significantly different spectra. An additional extended emission component FCES G78.83+3.57, located on the edge of the central cavities in Cygnus X and with a spectrum compatible with that of FCES G80.00+0.50, is likely related to the cocoon. For the two main components, spectra and radial-azimuthal profiles of the emission can be accounted for in a diffusion-loss framework involving one single population of non-thermal particles. Particles span the full extent of FCES G78.74+1.56 as a result of diffusion from a central source, and give rise to source FCES G80.00+0.50 by interacting with ionised gas in the innermost region. For this simple diffusion-loss model, viable setups can be very different in terms of energetics, transport conditions, and timescales involved, and both hadronic and leptonic scenarios are possible. The solutions range from long-lasting particle acceleration, possibly in prominent star clusters such as Cyg OB2 and NGC 6910, to a more recent and short-lived release of particles within the last 10-100 kyr, likely from a supernova remnant. (Abridged)