"Gamma-ray Astronomy and the Origins of Galactic Cosmic Rays"

Presented by Dr. Alison Mitchell - Winner of the 2025 Duggal Award - DFG Emmy Noether Group Leader; ECAP, FAU Erlangen-Numberg

Cosmic ray particles are known to reach energies of at least ~3 PeV within our Galaxy, with higher energy particles likely having an extragalactic origin. Recently evidence has emerged for a variety of different source classes producing gamma-ray emission beyond 100 TeV, indicating the acceleration of particles to PeV energies. Due to particle transport processes, the location of the energetic particles and hence the gamma-ray emission can be offset from the original location of cosmic ray acceleration, further complicating the picture. In this talk, I will introduce gamma-ray astronomy and cover recent studies of several different astrophysical particle accelerators. In particular, I will highlight some of the still open questions and limitations of our current knowledge. An outlook towards anticipated developments with current and forthcoming facilities will be given.