Evidence for GeV emission from the Galactic Center Fountain

Abstract

The region near the Galactic center may have experienced recurrent episodes of injection of energy in excess of $\sim$ 10${}^{55}$ ergs due to repeated starbursts involving more than $\sim$ 10${}^4$ supernovae. This hypothesis can be tested by measurements of ${\hat{I}}^3$-ray lines produced by the decay of radioactive isotopes and positron annihilation, or by searches for pulsars produced during starbursts. Recent OSSE observations of 511 keV emission extending above the Galactic center led to the suggestion of a starburst driven fountain from the Galactic center. We present EGRET observations that might support this picture.

5 pages, 1 embedded Postscript figure. To appear in the Proceedings of the Fourth Compton Symposium