Cosmic Rays from SNRs and TeV Gamma-Ray Astronomy

Abstract

The origin of Galactic cosmic rays is still a burning question that forms a major motivation for developments in ground-based gamma-ray astronomy. SNRs are long-thought to be sites for the acceleration of Galactic cosmic rays, and evidence for gamma-ray and non-thermal X-ray production from some SNRs suggest that they may be capable of accelerating particles to multi-TeV energies. Yet, along with this, and in the same overall model framework (diffusive shock acceleration), is the need to accommodate upper limits at TeV energies imposed on other examples. This review will present an update on the status of SNR observations at TeV energies, their interpretation, and discuss the relevant parameters and issues of next generation ground-based instruments relating to their ability to confirm SNRs as Galactic cosmic ray sources.