Astrophysical models for the origin of the positron “excess”

► To recall why the leptonic cosmic ray data require a primary source of positrons. ► To discuss why dark matter explanations are disfavored as origin of the features. ► To summarize the astrophysical explanations proposed, including open problems. ► To outline near future perspectives for diagnosti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAstroparticle physics Vol. 39-40; no. 40; pp. 2 - 11
Main Author Serpico, Pasquale D.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 01.12.2012
Elsevier
Subjects
Astrophysics
Cosmic ray electrons and positrons
High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena
Physics
Pulsars
Supernova remnants
Supernova remnants
Cosmic ray electrons and positrons
Pulsars
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Summary:► To recall why the leptonic cosmic ray data require a primary source of positrons. ► To discuss why dark matter explanations are disfavored as origin of the features. ► To summarize the astrophysical explanations proposed, including open problems. ► To outline near future perspectives for diagnostics and progress in the field. Over the last three years, several satellite and balloon observatories have suggested intriguing features in the cosmic ray lepton spectra. Most notably, the PAMELA satellite has suggested an “anomalous” rise with energy of the cosmic ray positron fraction. In this article, we summarize the global picture emerging from the data and recapitulate the main features of different types of explanations proposed. The perspectives in testing different scenarios as well as inferring some astrophysical diagnostics from current/near future experiments are also discussed.
ISSN:0927-6505
1873-2852
DOI:10.1016/j.astropartphys.2011.08.007