A galactic component of the diffuse X-ray flux in the range 2–7 keV

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Abstract
An analysis has been made of the spatial distribution of the 2–7 keV X-ray background as measured by Uhuru and reported by Schwartz. The latitude distribution above about 10° is consistent with a uniform isotropic component comprising the bulk of the radiation plus a galactic part varying from about 3 per cent at |b| = 20° to 1 per cent at |b| = 90°. The galactic component is readily interpreted in terms of synchrotron and Inverse Compton radiation from cosmic ray electrons in the ISM. Following the precedent of Warwick, Pye & Fabian we have analysed the residual background, after a symmetrical galactic contribution has been subtracted, in terms of a directional anisotropy such as would follow from the Compton–Getting effect. Although the procedure is hazardous in view of many uncertainties due to galactic anisotropies it is shown that the results are not inconsistent with the solar system moving through the 2–7 keV X-ray sea in the same manner as it appears to move with respect to the 2.7 K radiation.

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