AGN models for the X and gamma-ray backgrounds
Abstract
The origin of the X-ray background spectral intensity has been a long standing problem in high energy astrophysics research. Deep X-ray surveys carried out with ROSAT and ASCA combined with the broad band spectral results of Ginga and BeppoSAX satellites strongly support the hypothesis that the bulk of the X-ray background is due to the integrated contribution of discrete sources (mainly AGNs). At higher energies the unexpected findings of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory indicate that also the gamma-ray background is likely to be due to AGNs. I will discuss AGN--based models for the high energy backgrounds and how future observations will improve our understanding of the X and gamma-ray backgrounds and of the physics and evolution of AGNs.
Cite
@article{arxiv.astro-ph/9812307,
title = {AGN models for the X and gamma-ray backgrounds},
author = {Andrea Comastri},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:astro-ph/9812307},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
8 pages, 4 figures. Invited talk presented at the 3rd INTEGRAL Workshop : The Extreme Universe, Taormina 14-18 Sept. 1998 Astrophysical Letters and Communications, in press