Searches for Galactic Neutrinos with the IceCube Neutrino observatory

Abstract

The sources of galactic charged cosmic rays are so far unknown, because their arrival directions are randomized in the galactic magnetic field. Objects accelerating hadrons are expected to produce high-energy neutrinos. In addition, a diffuse galactic neutrino flux is predicted from interactions of galactic cosmic rays with matter during propagation through the galaxy. The IceCube neutrino observatory at the geographic South Pole instruments a cubic kilometer of ice with optical modules to detect the Cherenkov light of particles produced in neutrino interactions. Operating for more than a decade in its complete detector configuration, IceCube is in a unique position to search for neutrino sources. This contribution discusses the searches for a diffuse flux of neutrinos as wells as for neutrinos from candidate point sources and extended sources in the galactic plane.