Description
A majority of the {gamma}-ray emission from star-forming galaxies is generated by the interaction of high-energy cosmic rays with the interstellar gas and radiation fields. Star-forming galaxies are expected to contribute to both the extragalactic {gamma}-ray background and the IceCube astrophysical neutrino flux. Using roughly 10yr of {gamma}-ray data taken by the Fermi Large Area Telescope, in this study we constrain the {gamma}-ray properties of star-forming galaxies. We report the detection of 11 bona fide {gamma}-ray-emitting galaxies and 2 candidates. Moreover, we show that the cumulative {gamma}-ray emission of below-threshold galaxies is also significantly detected at ~5{sigma} confidence. The {gamma}-ray luminosity of resolved and unresolved galaxies is found to correlate with the total (8-1000{mu}m) infrared luminosity as previously determined. Above 1GeV, the spectral energy distribution of resolved and unresolved galaxies is found to be compatible with a power law with a photon index of ~2.2-2.3. Finally, we find that star-forming galaxies account for roughly 5% and 3% of the extragalactic {gamma}-ray background and the IceCube neutrino flux, respectively.
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