The Cosmic X-ray Background

Boldt, Elihu A.

doi:10.1016/0370-1573(87)90108-6

The Cosmic X-ray Background

Elihu A. Boldt
(
- NASA, Goddard
)

Mar, 1980

40 pages

Published in:

Phys.Rept. 146 (1987) 215

DOI:

10.1016/0370-1573(87)90108-6

Report number:

NASA-TM-80659

View in:

ADS Abstract Service

reference search147 citations

Citations per year

Abstract: (Elsevier)

As the sky in the microwave band is dominated by a cosmic background, so too is the X-ray sky. In this report, the experimental approach used for measuring the X-ray background is explained and evaluated. The Compton-Getting interpretation of the dipole anisotropy in the microwave background is presented as a diagnostic of the weak asymmetry exhibited by the cosmic X-ray background. Spectral characteristics and spatial fluctuations of this X-ray background are described and then discussed within the context of what is known about individual extragalactic sources. It is concluded that the bulk of the cosmic X-ray background is yet to be understood. The critical apparatus of modern cosmology is reviewed and applied to this problem, providing constraints and indicating possible avenues for achieving a solution. The outlook for obtaining the new data called for is examined in terms of experiments now in preparation.

References(132)

Figures(0)

[1]

The Star Splitters

W. Tucker

[2]

Evidence for x Rays From Sources Outside the Solar System

- Phys.Rev.Lett. 9 (1962) 439-443
•
DOI:
- 10.1103/PhysRevLett.9.439

[3]

Ph.D. thesis dissertation

R. Shafer

[4]

T. Clark
,
L. Brown
,
J. Alexander

- Nature 228 (1970) 847

[5]

Measurements of the cosmic background radiation

R. Weiss

- Ann.Rev.Astron.Astrophys. 18 (1980) 489-535
•
DOI:
- 10.1146/annurev.aa.18.090180.002421

[6]

F. Marshall

- Astrophys.J. 235 (1980) 4

[7]

R. Rothschild

- Astrophys.J. 269 (1983) 423

[8]

Gamma Ray Astrophysics

C. Fichtel
,
J. Trombka

[9]

R. Dube
,
W. Wickes
,
T. Wilkinson

- Astrophys.J. 232 (1979) 333

[10]

A. Code
,
G. Welch

- Astrophys.J. 256 (1982) 1

[11]

G. Toller

- Astrophys.J. 266 (1983) L79

[12]

C. Weller

- Astrophys.J. 268 (1983) 899

[13]

F. Paresce
,
C. McKee
,
S. Bowyer

- Astrophys.J. 240 (1980) 387

[14]

M. Joubert

- Astron.Astrophys. 128 (1983) 114

[15]

E. Boldt

- Bull.APS 224 (1971) 534

[16]

High Energy Particles and Quanta in Astrophysics

F. McDonald
,
C. Fichtel
,
E. Boldt

[17]

G. Bignami
,
C. Fichtel
,
R. Hartman
,
D. Thompson

- Astrophys.J. 232 (1979) 649

[18]

E. Boldt

- Comments Ap. 9 (1981) 97

[19]

L. Bassani
,
A. Dean

- Astrophys.Space Sci. 100 (1984) 457

[20]

R. Mushotzky

- Astrophys.J. 256 (1982) 92

[20]

- Adv.Space Res. 3 (1984) 157

[21]

T. Jones
,
S. O'Dell
,
W. Stein

- Astrophys.J. 188 (1974) 353

[22]

Comptonization of X-rays in plasma clouds. Typical radiation spectra

- Astron.Astrophys. 86 (1980) 121-138

[23]

A Thermal interpretation of the X-ray spectra of quasars, active galactic nuclei, and Cygnus X-1

P. Meszaros
(
- Harvard U. and
- Smithsonian Astrophys. Observ.
)

- Astrophys.J.Lett. 274 (1983) L13-L16
•
DOI:
- 10.1086/184141

[24]

N. Kardashev

- Soviet Astr.A.J. 6 (1962) 317

1-25 of 132
1
2
3
4
5
6
25 / page