Diffuse X-ray background measurements in the energy range 2-18 keV

Abstract

Rocket measurements, of the diffuse X-ray background in the energy range 2-18 keV, conducted from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), India, are presented. The estimates of the cosmic background are derived by the method which employs the Earth and its atmosphere as a shutter to intercept the celestial X-rays. The results are shown to be consistent with a power law photon spectrum. 13.6_−3.3^+4.3 E^{−1.73±0.15} photons/cm²-sec-keV-ster the spectrum being much flatter than that observed at higher energies.