Galactic Astrophysics and Gamma-Ray Astronomy, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1983
Proceedings of a Meeting Organised in the Context of the XVIII General Assembly of the IAU, held in Patras, Greece, August 19, 1982

This book contains the invited and contributed lectures presented at a meeting organised in the context of the XVIII general assembly ofthe IAU, held in Patras, August 19, 1982. Roughly one hundred scientists attended this meeting, the discussions were livel- sometimes heated - and the original time span allocated to the meeting was as a result, comfortably exceeded by about 50 % . The aim of this meeting was to determine the role of galactic gamma-ray astronomy within the general concept of galactic astrophysics. The timing, at the end of the COS-B mission, was regarded as opportune, because it gives interested astrophysicists the possibility for interdisciplinary studies using the existing gamma-ray data base (e.g. comparison with infrared, radio, X-ray, etc. astronomies), as well as for theoretical studies. The next generation of gamma-ray detectors will probably not be in operation for another 5 to 10 years, and therefore it is hoped that the proceeding of this meeting can be used (in the intermediate time) as a basis for further studies, as a stimulation for more theoretical work and as an important contribution for defining the aims and operation of future gamma-ray missions. The interrelationship with other branches of astronomy, the astrophysical implications and the study of relevant physical processes using available measurements in the near-Earth environment were important results of the meeting. Many persons contributed to the success of the meeting, in particular all those who either presented a contribution and/or took part in the discussions.

Preface.- Cosmic-Ray Acceleration and Transport, and Diffuse Galactic ?-Ray Emission.- Acceleration and Transport Processes: Verification and Observations.- The Relevance of Molecular Observations to Gamma-Ray Astronomy.- Gamma Rays and Neutrinos as Complementary Probes in Astrophysics.- On Particle Acceleration in Supernova Remnants.- Gamma-Ray Sources Observed by COS-B.- Point-Like Gamma-Ray Sources.- Gamma-Ray Pulsars in the MeV Region.- Cosmic Gamma Rays and Molecular Gas in the Galaxy.- Gamma Rays from Close Binary Systems.- Gamma Rays from Active Regions in the Galaxy: the Possible Contribution of Stellar Winds.- Search for Pulsars as Counterparts of the Galactic Gamma-.- Ray Sources A Search for Counterparts of Selected COS-B Galactic Gamma-Ray Sources: the X-Ray Survey and Optical Identifications.- Large-Scale Structure of the Galaxy and High-Energy Gamma-Ray Observations.- Origin of the Diffuse Galactic Gamma-Ray Emission at Low and Medium Gamma-Ray Energies.- The Use of Gamma Rays to Trace the Local Interstellar Hydrogen.- Nonthermal Radio Emission from the Galaxy.- Comparison of Far-Infrared Radiation with Gamma Radiation (Large-Scale Structure of the Galaxy).- Observations of Supernova Explosions and Cosmic Rays.- Gamma-Ray Line Astronomy.- Cosmic Gamma-Ray Bursts.