Galactic Binary Systems

Abstract

The population of binary systems known to emit in the GeV and TeV bands consists of only a few firmly identified Galactic sources. These rare objects constitute extreme particle accelerators operating under varying, but regularly repeating, conditions. As such, they provide access to a unique laboratory in which to study particle acceleration, and the nature of gamma-ray production, emission and absorption processes near compact objects. Here we review the current observational status of the field, and discuss some of the recent interpretations of the results.