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A search for a very-high-energy (VHE; ≥100  GeV) γ-ray signal from self-annihilating particle dark matter (DM) is performed towards a region of projected distance r∼45-150  pc from the Galactic center. The background-subtracted γ-ray spectrum measured with the High Energy Stereoscopic System (H.E.S.S.) γ-ray instrument in the energy range between 300 GeV and 30 TeV shows no hint of a residual γ-ray flux. Assuming conventional Navarro-Frenk-White and Einasto density profiles, limits are derived on the velocity-weighted annihilation cross section (σv) as a function of the DM particle mass. These are among the best reported so far for this energy range and in particular differ only little between the chosen density profile parametrizations. In particular, for the DM particle mass of ∼1  TeV, values for (σv) above 3×10(-25)  cm(3) s(-1) are excluded for the Einasto density profile.

The Virgo Experiment is a gravitational wave interferometric detector. It consists in a Michelson interferometer with two 3 km long Fabry‐Perot cavities as orthogonal arms. The installation of the detector has been completed in September 2003 and presently the apparatus is under commissioning. In this article an overview of the detector status is presented

Aims. Observations of shell-type supernova remnants (SNRs) in the GeV to multi-TeV γ-ray band, coupled with those at millimetre radio wavelengths, are motivated by the search for cosmic-ray accelerators in our Galaxy. The old-age mixed-morphology SNR W 28 (distance ∼2 kpc) is a prime target due to its interaction with molecular clouds along its northeastern boundary and other clouds situated nearby. Methods. We observed the W 28 field (for ∼40 h) at very high energy (VHE) γ-ray energies (E > 0.1 TeV) with the HESS. Cherenkov telescopes. A reanalysis of EGRET E > 100 MeV data was also undertaken. Results from the NANTEN 4 m telescope Galactic plane survey and other CO observations were used to study molecular clouds. Results. We have discovered VHE γ-ray emission (HESS J1801−233) coincident with the northeastern boundary of W 28 and a complex of sources (HESS J1800−240A, B and C) ∼0.5 • south of W 28 in the Galactic disc. The EGRET source (GRO J1801−2320) is centred on HESS J1801−233 but may also be related to HESS J1800−240 given the large EGRET point spread function. The VHE differential photon spectra are well fit by pure power laws with indices Γ ∼ 2.3 to 2.7. The spectral indices of HESS J1800−240A, B, and C are consistent within statistical errors. All VHE sources are ∼10 in intrinsic radius except for HESS J1800−240C, which appears pointlike. The NANTEN 12 CO(J = 1−0) data reveal molecular clouds positionally associating with the VHE emission, spanning a ∼15 km s −1 range in local standard of rest velocity. Conclusions. The VHE/molecular cloud association could indicate a hadronic origin for HESS J1801−233 and HESS J1800−240, and several cloud components in projection may contribute to the VHE emission. The clouds have components covering a broad velocity range encompassing the distance estimates for W 28 (∼2 kpc) and extending up to ∼4 kpc. Assuming hadronic origin and distances of 2 and 4 kpc for cloud components, the required cosmic-ray density enhancement factors (with respect to the solar value) are in the range ∼10 to ∼30. If situated at 2 kpc distance, such cosmic-ray densities may be supplied by SNRs like W 28. Additionally and/or alternatively, particle acceleration may come from several catalogued SNRs and SNR candidates, the energetic ultra compact HII region W 28A2, and the HII regions M 8 and M 20, along with their associated open clusters. Further sub-mm observations would be recommended to probe in detail the dynamics of the molecular clouds at velocites >10 km s −1 and their possible connection to W 28. Key words. gamma rays: observationsEnergy spectra are only available in electronic form at

This paper presents a complete description of Virgo, the French-Italian gravitational wave detector. The detector, built at Cascina, near Pisa (Italy), is a very large Michelson interferometer, with 3 km-long arms. JINST 7 P03012In this paper, following a presentation of the physics requirements, leading to the specifications for the construction of the detector, a detailed description of all its different elements is given. These include civil engineering infrastructures, a huge ultra-high vacuum (UHV) chamber (about 6000 cubic metres), all of the optical components, including high quality mirrors and their seismic isolating suspensions, all of the electronics required to control the interferometer and for signal detection. The expected performances of these different elements are given, leading to an overall sensitivity curve as a function of the incoming gravitational wave frequency.This description represents the detector as built and used in the first data-taking runs. Improvements in different parts have been and continue to be performed, leading to better sensitivities. These will be detailed in a forthcoming paper.