Dissecting the Inner Galaxy with <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" display="inline"><mml:mi>γ</mml:mi></mml:math>-Ray Pixel Count Statistics

Abstract

We combine adaptive template fitting and pixel count statistics in order to assess the nature of the Galactic Center excess in Fermi-LAT data. We reconstruct the flux distribution of point sources well below the Fermi-LAT detection threshold, and measure their radial and longitudinal profiles in the inner Galaxy. We find that all point sources and the bulge-correlated diffuse emission each contributes O(10%) of the total inner Galaxy emission, and disclose a potential subthreshold point-source contribution to the Galactic Center excess.

Topics & Concepts