CR electrons: towards a more complete air-Cherenkov view

Abstract

Very high energy (VHE; E > 30 GeV) cosmic-ray electrons and positrons (CR$e^{-}$, $e^{+}$) reaching the Earth from beyond the solar system are important tracers of recent energetic events in our Galactic neighbourhood (1–2 kpc). Spectral measurements of this radiation may help checking standard astrophysical scenarios of CR$e^{-}$, $e^{+}$ origin (e.g., pulsars, SNRs) versus exotic scenarios (e.g., DM particle annihilation). Air-Cherenkov telescopes can contribute to the measurement of the total VHE flux of CR$e^{-}$, $e^{+}$. This will allow us to consolidate relevant results by, e.g., ATIC, HESS, AMS-02, and Fermi-LAT.