On the Potential Galactic Origin of the Ultra-high-energy Event KM3-230213A

The Astrophysical Journal 2026 Open access

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Authors: O. Adriani, S. Aiello, A. Albert, A.R Alhebsi, M. Alshamsi, S. Alves Garre, A. Ambrosone, F. Ameli, M. Andre, L. Aphecetche, M. Ardid, S. Ardid
+88 more J. Aublin, F. Badaracco, L. Bailly-Salins, Z. Bardačová, B. Baret, A. Bariego-Quintana, Y. Becherini, M. Bendahman, Francesca Gualandi, M. Benhassi, M. Bennani, David M. Benoit, E. Berbee, E. Berti, V. Bertin, P. Betti, S. Biagi, M. Boettcher, D. Bonanno, S. Bottai, A. B. Bouasla, J. Boumaaza, M. Bouta, M. Bouwhuis, C. Bozza, R. M. Bozza, H. Brânzaş, F. Bretaudeau, M. Breuhaus, R. Bruijn, J. Brunner, R. Bruno, E. Buis, R. Buompane, J. Busto, B. Caiffi, D. Calvo, A. Capone, F. Carenini, V. Carretero, T. Cartraud, P. Castaldi, V. Cecchini, S. Celli, L. Cerisy, M. Chabab, A. Chen, S. Cherubini, T. Chiarusi, M. Circella, R. Clark, R. Cocimano, J. A. B. Coelho, A. Coleiro, A. Condorelli, R. Coniglione, P. Coyle, A. Creusot, G. Cuttone, R. Dallier, A. De Benedittis, G. De Wasseige, V. Decoene, P. Deguire, I. Del Rosso, L.S Di Mauro, I. Di Palma, Antonio Francisco Díaz, D. Diego-Tortosa, C. Distefano, A. Domi, C. Donzaud, D. Dornic, E. Drakopoulou, D. Drouhin, J.-G. Ducoin, P. Duverne, R. Dvornický, T. Eberl, E. Eckerová, A. Eddymaoui, T. van Eeden, M. Eff, D. van Eijk, I. El Bojaddaini, S. El Hedri, Sharif El Mentawi, V. Ellajosyula
DOI: 10.3847/1538-4357/ade3b0
Cited by: 1
References: 89

Abstract

Abstract The KM3NeT observatory detected the most energetic neutrino candidate ever observed, with an energy between 72 PeV and 2.6 EeV at the 90% confidence level. The observed neutrino is likely of cosmic origin. In this article, it is investigated if the neutrino could have been produced within the Milky Way. Considering the low fluxes of the Galactic diffuse emission at these energies, the lack of a nearby potential Galactic particle accelerator in the direction of the event, and the difficulty of accelerating particles to such high energies in Galactic systems, we conclude that if the event is indeed cosmic, it is most likely of extragalactic origin.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Astrophysics and Cosmic Phenomena Neutrino Physics Research Gamma-ray bursts and supernovae

Publication details

Journal / source
The Astrophysical Journal
Publisher
American Astronomical Society
Volume
1003
Issue
2
Pages
157–157
Publication date
22 May 2026
Language
EN