High Energy Gamma-Ray Emission from the Loop I region

Understand

Loop I is a nearby giant radio loop spanning over 100 degrees and centered on the Sco-Cen OB association.

• It may correspond to a superbubble formed by the joint action of stellar winds and supernova remnants.
• ROSAT observations revealed that the region is filled with a hot gas possibly reheated by successive supernova explosions.
• The brightest rim of Loop I, called the North Polar Spur (NPS), extends to the north along 30 degrees in longitude, at a distance of about 100 pc from the Sun.