A cosmic-ray loaded nascent outflow driven by a massive star cluster.

ABSTRACT: Cosmic rays are widely held to drive outflows from star-forming galaxies and profoundly influence galaxy evolution. Direct evidence for cosmic-ray carrying outflows is however lacking. At the same time there is increasing awareness of the importance of massive star clusters in the acceleration of cosmic rays in galaxies. Here we report on the discovery of a nascent outflow driven by the massive star cluster Westerlund 1. Giga-electronvolt gamma-ray emission coincident with a cavity visible in atomic hydrogen traces the emergence of a population of relativistic electrons out of the Galactic Disc. The emission is offset from tera-electronvolt gamma-ray radiation surrounding the cluster, but connects to it smoothly spectrally and spatially. The implied energy density of co-accelerated protons

SUBMITTER: Lemoine-Goumard M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12690131 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature